December 31, 2025

*Update*State Police investigate fatal crash on I-84 in Newburgh

Press Release

Update: December 31, 2025, at 12:30 p.m.:

Liam F. McNichol was indicted by an Orange County Grand Jury on December 19, 2025. McNichol turned himself in on December 23, 2025, at which time he was arrested and charged with the following offenses:

  • Three counts of Vehicular Manslaughter in the 2nd Degree, Class D Felony
  • Vehicular Manslaughter in the 1st Degree, .18 of 1% or more Alcohol in Blood, Class C Felony
  • Aggravated Vehicular Homicide, .18 of 1% or more Alcohol in Blood, Class B Felony
  • Manslaughter in the 2nd Degree, Recklessly Cause Death, Class C Felony
  • Assault in the 1st Degree, Cause Serious Physical Injury During a Felony, Class B Felony
  • Unlawful Fleeing a Police Officer in a Motor Vehicle in the 1st Degree, Causing a Person’s Death, Class D Felony

McNichol was arraigned on December 23, 2025, in Orange County Court and was remanded to the Orange County Jail. Bail was set at $250,000 cash, $1,000,000 bond, or $1,500,000 partially secured bond. McNichol is scheduled to return to Orange County Court on January 6, 2026.

Original Press Release April 25, 2025, at 10:14 a.m.:

On April 25, 2025, at about 3:43 a.m., troopers patrolling on Route 9W in the town of Newburgh attempted to stop a 2015 GMC Sierra pickup truck after observing vehicle and traffic violations. The driver of the pickup did not comply, and troopers initiated a pursuit, which traveled south on Route 9W to State Route 32 and then to I-84 westbound.

Troopers discontinued the pursuit because the suspect vehicle was travelling at dangerously high speeds. A short time later, troopers discovered that the vehicle had crashed off the shoulder of the roadway. The preliminary investigation determined that the suspect vehicle collided with a tractor (without a trailer), the driver lost control of the pickup and crashed.

The passenger in the suspect vehicle, Phelipe Figueroa, 25, of Otisville, NY, was transported to St. Luke’s Hospital in Newburgh, where he died.  The driver, Liam F. McNichol, age 25, of Port Jervis, NY, was transported to St. Luke’s Hospital with minor injuries. Charges are pending.

The New York State Attorney General’s Office was notified of the incident and responded.

State Police are asking anyone who witnessed the crash to contact the SP Montgomery Bureau of Criminal Investigation at 845-344-5300.