Winter Weather — Orange, New York

2012-12-07 · Orange, New York

Event narrative

Matthew Alston, 56, of Middletown, NY, was operating a 1997 Toyota SUV eastbound on State Route 17M when he lost control of the vehicle on an icy patch of pavement at about 9:42 AM. The SUV spun sideways and into the westbound lane of travel, where it was struck by a 2000 Freightliner tractor trailer operated by Donald Allen, 62, of Augusta, GA. Alston was extricated from the vehicle by the Town of Goshen Fire Department and was transported to the Orange County Regional Medical Center for medical treatment.

Jason Rodriguez, 28, of Middletown, NY, a front seat passenger in the SUV, died at the scene as a result of injuries sustained in the crash.

Wider weather episode

Light freezing rain developed in the morning as a weak warm front approached from the southwest, while surface high pressure off the New England coast provided sub-freezing air at the surface. The freezing rain caused roads to become icy across the Lower Hudson Valley of southeast New York, and resulted in 1 direct fatality.

Source: NOAA Storm Events Database, event_id 426476. Narrative written by the NWS forecast office that issued the report.