UPDATED: State Police Investigating Fatal Collision on Palisades Interstate Parkway

State Police have released the name of the driver as 45-year-old Charles A. Cato from New Windsor, NY .

The investigation is continuing.

On December 6, 2024, at approximately 6:05 a.m., State Troopers from the Haverstraw barracks responded to a one-car motor vehicle accident on the Palisades Interstate Parkway (PIP) north in the town of Highlands, NY.

The preliminary investigation revealed that a 2019 Subaru was traveling northbound in the town of Highlands, NY, when it exited the roadway for unknown reasons and struck a tree in the median just north of exit 19. The operator of the vehicle was identified as off-duty NYPD officer. The 45-year-old male from New Windsor, NY, was transported to St. Luke Hospital, where he ultimately succumbed to his injuries and was pronounced deceased. 

This incident remains under investigation. Anyone who may have witnessed the collision are asked to contact the State Police at Middletown at 845-344-5300 and reference case number NY2400969180.