Crime & Safety

Witnesses: No Injuries but Plenty of Damage Left in Wake of Terrible Car Accident

Witnesses describe a crazy and complicated scene in Tarrytown early Saturday morning that could have gone much worse had the timing been different.

“Thankfully this did not happen earlier in the evening when South Washington along side the fire station was closed off while 3rd Friday was underway,” one woman wrote on Patch’s Facebook page where citizens are sharing details about a driver who left a trail of damages spanning blocks in his wake. “There would have been a lot of hurt and probably killed families otherwise.”

According to witness reports, just after 12 a.m. on Saturday, a Ford Expedition coming north on South Washington hit a parked car, pushing it across the street into the exit of the municipal lot. The driver then reportedly went on to knock down several parking meters and a street sign alongside the Main Street fireehouse. 

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Rick Reimundez said, “I heard him coming and thought to myself, ‘he's coming way too fast, he'll never make the turn.’ He didn't.

The male driver wasn’t done yet however.

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Witnesses say the driver kept going at a high speed from the scene, trailing fluids as his car continued north down the center of North Washington.

“Thankfully no one was driving south on Washington St...or they would have been hit head on,”a witness said. "Who was this nutcase? He must have been traveling 100 mph to do the damage he did and just keep going."

The Ford struck more parked cars near Patriot's Park, pushing one car all the way in front of the car it previously sat behind.

Ultimately the ride ended with the man striking a utility pole head on at the entrance to Patriot’s Park. Then his engine caught on fire. Some speculate that a meter had been dragged under the car for a while, creating sparks that ignited the fire. One witness corrected that and said the driver's side axle had broken with a wheel up in the wheel well and the car body dragging, and sparking, on the ground.

Tarrytown Fire Department volunteers responded with Engines 80 and 79, along with Tarrytown Volunteer Ambulance Corps. Miraculously after such a wild ride, the man showed no signs of visible injury and was conscious, Reimundez said. 

Witnesses report no other injuries but share photos of scraped sidewalks, ruined cars and damaged poles.

Tarrytown Police apparently arrested the man but haven't yet been available for comment on his identity or the charges.

Patch will update as further details become available. Were you there? Share what you saw here. 


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