The April fool’s joke was on two juveniles who were tracked down and arrested after fleeing from police and crashing in a fiery wreck.
Shortly after 1:00am on Saturday, April 1, 2023, two juveniles led the New York State Police on a vehicle chase on Route 9W in the Town of Newburgh. The initial purpose of the attempted traffic stop is unknown.
During the chase, at approximately 1:07am, the 13 year-old driver crashed into a telephone pole at the intersection of Route 9W and Carter Avenue, located just north of the Stewart’s gas station. The vehicle knocked down the telephone pole and zoomed into a tractor trailer and other vehicles parked in a grassy lot at a business along Route 9W.
The crash resulted in heavy fire to the vehicle. The Middle Hope Fire Department responded and extinguished the blaze.
After crashing, the 13 year-old driver and the 17 year-old passenger both exited the vehicle and fled on foot. Troopers closed Route 9W in both directions while they searched for the two suspects. The passenger was apprehended just over an hour later and allegedly provided a false identity to the police. The driver was apprehended later that day.
The 17 year-old juvenile, who was reportedly the passenger in the vehicle, was taken into custody at 2:39am on April 1, 2023. The juvenile was charged with Obstructing Governmental Administration in the 2nd degree, a Class A misdemeanor, and False Personation, a Class B misdemeanor.
The 13 year-old juvenile, a City of Newburgh resident, was arrested by the State Police at 9:59pm on April 1, 2023. The juvenile was charged with Fleeing an Officer in a Motor Vehicle in the 3rd degree and Criminal Mischief – Recklessly Damaging Property, both Class A misdemeanors.
Both defendants’ names have not been released because they are underage. They were both issued appearance tickets.
