DA Hoovler Announces Charges in Connection with Fatal Collision

Walden Man charged by Grand Jury with 3 counts of Manslaughter in the Second Degree and 7 counts of Assault in the Second Degree for causing
two vehicles to collide on State Route 17 in August 2021.

Orange County District Attorney David M. Hoovler announced that on Tuesday, September 13, 2022, Anthony Jones, age 24 of Walden, was arraigned in Orange County Court, on an indictment charging him with crimes including three counts of Manslaughter in the Second Degree and seven counts of Assault in the Second Degree for causing two vehicles to collide on State Route 17, on August 4, 2021. It is alleged that Jones was the sole occupant and driver of a Ford Escape he was operating eastbound on State Route 17 in the town of Wallkill between exits 118 and 119. It is alleged that Jones became angry at the driver of a van carrying eight people and that he caused his car to collide with the van.

The collision resulted in the deaths of three occupants of the van, including the driver and serious physical injuries to four occupants of the van. Another passenger in the van was also injured, although not as seriously. Jones was treated for complaints of pain, transported to a local hospital, and released.

An investigation conducted by the New York State Police and the Orange County District Attorney’s Office determined that the collision was the result of reckless and negligent actions by Jones, and that he was responsible for causing the collision. The case was presented to an Orange County Grand Jury which charged Jones with three counts of Manslaughter in the Second Degree, seven counts of Assault in the Second Degree, Criminally Negligent Homicide, and Assault in the Third Degree, a misdemeanor.

Jones was arrested by State Police on September 12, 2022. He was arraigned in Orange County Court on September 13, 2022 and remanded to the Orange County Jail in lieu of $25,000 cash bail, $50,000 partially secured bond, or $100,000 bond. Jones is next scheduled to appear in court on October 4, 2022.

District Attorney Hoovler thanked the New York State Police for their investigation and the arrest of Jones.

“An automobile easily transforms into a deadly weapon when it is used recklessly,” said District Attorney David M. Hoovler. “Deaths and serious injuries caused by ‘road rage’ incidents are as tragic as they are preventable, and justice demands that those who engage in reckless behavior face consequences for their actions. My deepest condolences go out to the family and loved ones of those who lost their lives in this incident and those whose lives have been forever altered by this collision. I thank the New York State Police for their untiring work on the investigation and the work of the New York State Police Collision Reconstruction Unit.”

The case is being prosecuted by Senior Assistant District Attorney Janine Kovacs and Assistant District Attorney Peter Fernandez.

This criminal charge is merely an allegation that a defendant has committed a violation of the criminal law, and it is not evidence of guilt. All defendants are presumed innocent and entitled to a fair trial, during which it will be the State of New York’s burden to prove guilt beyond a reasonable doubt.