New York State Police are investigating a fatal crash on the Palisades Parkway

On June 16, 2022, at approximately 4:47 a.m. state police from the Haverstraw and Monroe barracks responded to a head on collision involving two vehicles on the Palisades Parkway near exit 18 in the town of Highlands.

Preliminary investigation revealed that a 1998 Toyota Corolla, being operated by Hugo Vasquez, age 67 from Spring Valley was traveling southbound in the northbound lane when he struck 2006 Toyota TC head on. Vasquez was transported to Good Samaritan Hospital where he was pronounced deceased. The operator of the Toyota TC, Franklin Yanza-Zaruma, age 46 from Spring Valley was transported to Garnet Medical Center with non-life-threatening injuries. His two passengers were transported to Westchester Medical Center with non-life-threatening injuries. There is an ongoing investigation. There were no signs of impairment involved in this collision.

Investigators are asking anyone who may have witnessed the crash or observed either of these vehicles prior to the crash are asked to contact Senior Investigator Carmen Goffredo or Investigator Eric Haydt to contact of the New York State Police at 845-364-0200.