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A 63-year-old Port Ewen woman died Wednesday (January 21) in a head-on collision on Route 9W in the Town of Esopus, New York.
New York State Police have identified the victim as Jennifer L. Burke, who was driving a 2009 Smart car northbound when, for reasons still under investigation, her vehicle crossed into the southbound lane and collided with a 2018 Volkswagen Tiguan.
The crash occurred around 6:14 a.m. near 1835 Route 9W, according to authorities. Burke was ejected from her vehicle and pronounced dead at the scene.
The driver of the Volkswagen, identified as a 49-year-old man from West Park, New York, sustained non-life-threatening injuries and was transported to Vassar Brothers Medical Center for treatment.
The collision forced the closure of Route 9W for several hours on Wednesday morning as emergency crews responded and investigators worked the scene. The roadway has since reopened.
State Police from the Highland Barracks are continuing their investigation into what caused Burke's vehicle to cross into oncoming traffic. Authorities are asking anyone who may have witnessed the crash to contact the New York State Police Highland Bureau of Criminal Investigation at (845) 344-5300.