On June 27, 2025, at approximately 8:35 a.m., members of the New York State Police Uniform Force and the Bureau of Criminal Investigation (BCI) at SP Middletown responded to a motor vehicle accident on Interstate 84 westbound, in the area of mile marker 24.1, in the town of Wallkill.
A preliminary investigation revealed that a 2008 Honda Accord, operated by Josanne Pottinger-Smith, age 53, of Newburgh, was traveling westbound on I-84 when it struck a 2014 Harley Davidson motorcycle operated by Charles Helmka, age 52, of Dracut, Massachusetts, who was also traveling westbound.
The impact of the collision caused both vehicles to exit the roadway into the median along the south shoulder. Helmka was transported by EMS to Garnet Health Medical Center in the Town of Wallkill, where he was pronounced deceased. Pottinger-Smith was also transported to Garnet Health Medical Center and treated for minor injuries.
The New York State Police were assisted at the scene by the Orange County Sheriff’s Office.
The investigation remains ongoing. Anyone with information is asked to contact SP Middletown at 845-344-5300.
