Palisades Parkway crash sends seven children, two adults to hospital; van coming from special education school
State police identify driver and provide update on conditions of those injured in Rockland County crash
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New York State Police have released additional information about Monday afternoon’s crash on the Palisades Interstate Parkway that sent several children to the hospital.
State police identified the driver as 26-year-old Aryeh Spitzer of Monsey.
Investigators said Spitzer was driving southbound on the Palisades Interstate Parkway when the vehicle left the roadway and struck a tree in the center median near Exit 11.
Police said the cause of the crash remains under investigation.
According to state police, a 23-year-old man from Spring Valley and seven children between the ages of 5 and 10 were passengers in the 2022 Toyota Sienna involved in the crash.
Police said the group was traveling from the Legadel School in Chestnut Ridge.
The Legadel School’s website describes the organization as "a dedicated special education school, but also a center for specialized therapeutic services and family support."
State police said one child remains in critical but stable condition.
The other eight people in the van suffered non-life-threatening injuries.
Attempts were made to reach both the school and Spitzer for comment.
A state police public information officer said no charges are pending at this time.
The investigation remains ongoing.
Anyone who may have witnessed the collision is asked to contact the New York State Police Bureau of Criminal Investigation at Haverstraw at 845-344-5300
