Tragedy Strikes Orange County High School, One Student Killed

An early morning single-car accident has tragically taken the life of one Minisink Valley High School student and sent three others to the hospital in Orange County, New York.

According to the New York State Police (NYSP), at approximately 1:30 a.m. on Sunday state troopers were called to respond to a reported single-car motor vehicle accident on State Route 17 West, in the area of exit 114 in the Town of Mamakating, New York.

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Once on the scene troopers began their preliminary investigation and it showed that a 2014 white Honda CRV drove off the shoulder of the roadway, traveled down a steep ravine, and overturned at the bottom. Police say that there were four occupants inside the vehicle at the time of the crash and that all 4 were removed from the vehicle.

Minisink Valley High School Student Dies in Crash

17-year-old Jack P. Braun, a passenger in the car was transported to Garnet Health Medical Center in Wallkill, where he sadly died from his injuries. Two other passengers were flown to Westchester Medical Center in Valhalla, NY in critical condition. One passenger was transported to Garnet Health Medical Center in Middletown, NY, and was later transported to Westchester Medical Center.

Teen Driver was Allegedly Impaired

According to the NYSP, the unidentified 17-year-old male driver of the vehicle sustained non-life-threatening injuries and was charged with Vehicular Manslaughter, two counts of Vehicular Assault, and Driving While Intoxicated (DWI) after troopers determined he was impaired.

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The accident is an active investigation and the NYSP is asking anyone who may have witnessed the crash or observed the vehicle before the crash to contact the New York State Police at Middletown, 845-344-5300.

School District Offers Support

All four occupants of the vehicle attended Minisink Valley High School in Slate Hill, NY. Minisink Valley School District has made counselors available to provide additional support for students and staff according to police.