At approximately 2:30 p.m. on Oct. 10, New York State Police responded to a report of a downed helicopter near Route 218 and Storm King Mountain. The pilot, Arthur Charych, 73, of Setauket, NY, was pronounced dead at the scene. There were no passengers on board. The helicopter he was operating was a 2007 Robinson R44 Rotocraft.
Police are still investigating the cause of the crash. Assistance at the scene was received by state fire, local fire departments, and forest rangers.
State police are also investigating a fatal hit and run that occurred on at approximately 12:20 p.m. on Route 32. The initial investigation revealed that a 2013 Honda Accord was traveling north and crossed over into the southbound lane and struck a 2010 Chevy Tahoe head on. The operator of the Tahoe, Dr. John C. Hordines Jr., 54, of New Windsor was pronounced dead at the scene.