Police: 1 of 2 students involved in Bedford car crash dies from injuries

The crash occurred around 2:30 a.m. at the intersection of Bedford Road and Edna Street, according to Bedford police.

Emily Young

Jun 18, 2024, 5:06 PM

Updated 172 days ago

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Bedford police say one of two students injured in a car crash Tuesday morning has died.
Joshua Martinez Arana, 18, died early Tuesday morning after the vehicle he was driving crashed at the intersection of Route 117, also known as North Bedford Road and Edna Street.
The passenger, also an 18-year-old male, was taken to Westchester Medical Center, where he is listed in stable condition, according to police.
Both boys were seniors at Fox Lane High School, where graduation is planned for Thursday.
Police say the passenger of the vehicle called police around 2:27 a.m. Emergency responders found the car on the front lot of J.V. Auto Body, the business located on that corner.
"They must've gone airborne right there," said J.V. Auto Body owner, Juloi Velazquez. "It [the car] was pretty well mangled, it was still up on top of that poll, kind of twisted into the poll there."
The Honda sedan damaged countless cars on his lot, causing more than $100,000 worth of damage.
"There are eight cars that are totaled, because of the way they were hit, one was pushed up against another," he said.
Velazquez says he spent almost 10 hours cleaning up all the glass and debris, glass is still stuck inside the pole the car hit.
Police confirm both speed and reckless driving were a cause of the crash.
"On this road here, I can't understand it. I know kids do speed on this road...And I think that car got airborne, probably clipped this stuff here, slid into Julio's," said one resident who works in the area.
The school district says its crisis team has been mobilized with help from clinicians in neighboring districts. It will be providing assistance for any students or staff who need it during this difficult time.
"We are devastated to inform you that one of the students involved in the accident, Joshua Martinez Arana, has passed away. Our hearts go out to Josh’s family, and this loss is sure to raise many emotions for our entire community, especially our students," Superintendent of Schools, Dr. Rob Glass said in a statement.