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An investigation is ongoing into a tragic head-on collision that occurred Monday night (April 6) on Route 9H near Van Wyck Lane in Claverack. The crash claimed the lives of four individuals and left two others critically injured.
According to the Columbia County Sheriff's Office, a 2009 Toyota Prius driven by Nazmul Robel, 29, of Loudonville, crossed the center line for unknown reasons and collided with a 2025 Toyota Crown. Robel, along with passengers Mohammed Heramon, 60, and Fahim Halim, 25, both from the Bronx, were pronounced dead at the scene. A fourth passenger, Fatima Akter, 33, was taken to Albany Medical Center in critical but stable condition. A 1-year-old girl in the Prius was also critically injured and flown to the same hospital.
The Toyota Crown, driven by Luka Palvenian, 24, of Brooklyn, was involved in the collision. Palvenian was treated and released from Albany Medical Center. His passenger, Julia Ritchie, 62, of Stockport, was pronounced dead at the scene.
Authorities are working to determine why the Prius crossed the center line. The investigation involves sheriff's deputies, investigators, and the agency's crash investigation team. Sheriff Jackie Salvatore noted that no interviews could be conducted with the Prius occupants due to their conditions.
The community has responded with support, as a GoFundMe page has been set up for Halim to aid his family with funeral expenses. The page describes Halim as "a joyous person, full of laughter and kindness."
Anyone with information about the crash is urged to contact the Columbia County Sheriff's Office at 518-828-3344.