State Police Investigating Fatal Two-Vehicle Collision on State Route 209 in Hurley

On September 1, 2025, at approximately 5:32 p.m., troopers from the New York State Police Kingston barracks responded to a report of a two-vehicle motor vehicle collision on State Route 209 in the town of Hurley.

The preliminary investigation revealed that a 2019 Mercedes-Benz, operated by Hawanatu I. Deen-Ayers, age 47, of Middletown, NY, was traveling southbound on State Route 209. Deen-Ayers attempted to pass an uninvolved vehicle by crossing over the broken yellow centerline into the northbound lane. At the same time, a 2021 Ford pickup truck, operated by David W. Lincoln, age 60, of Accord, NY, was traveling northbound on Route 209.

In an effort to avoid a collision, Lincoln maneuvered his vehicle onto the eastern shoulder. The Mercedes-Benz also entered the eastern shoulder, where it struck the Ford pickup head-on.

All occupants of both vehicles were able to exit the vehicles, with the exception of Sierra Fatima Koren Thornton, age 25, of Middletown, NY, who was trapped inside the Mercedes-Benz. Thornton was extricated by emergency personnel and transported to Kingston Health Alliance Hospital, where she later succumbed to her injuries and was pronounced deceased.

Deen-Ayers, Lincoln, and a 63-year-old female passenger from the Ford pickup were transported to Benedictine Hospital with non-life-threatening injuries.

The investigation remains ongoing. Anyone who may have witnessed the accident is asked to call State Police Middletown at 845-344-5300. Please reference RMS# NY2500814897.