Rt. 17 westbound between exits 122A & 122.
PRESS RELEASE FROM NEW YORK STATE POLICE:
The New York State Police are investigating a fatal crash that occurred on State Route 17 in the town of Goshen on September 25, 2024, at approximately 10:15 p.m.
At about 10:05 p.m., Orange County 911 issued an alert for a vehicle traveling east in the westbound lanes of State Route 17. The vehicle was identified as a 2008 Ford F150 that was heading east from Sullivan County. The wrong-way vehicle passed a city of Middletown Police member between Exits 119 and 118, who made a u-turn and attempted to stop the wrong-way vehicle. A short time later, the Ford passed a New York State Trooper between Exits 120 and 119, and the Trooper turned around and also pursued the vehicle in an effort to stop it.
The operator of the wrong-way vehicle, later identified as Amiel Maerling, age 32 from Greenfield Park, NY, continued to drive east at a high rate of speed and in the area of Exit 122 collided head on with a 2020 International tractor-trailer. Both vehicles become engulfed in flames and Mr. Maerling was pronounced deceased at the scene. The operator of the tractor trailer received serious injuries and was transported to Garnet Medical Center.
In addition to the city of Middletown Police Department, the town of Wallkill Police Department and the Orange County Sheriff’s Office were also involved in efforts to stop the wrong-way driver.
The investigation into this incident is ongoing. Anyone who may have witnessed the crash or observed the wrong-way Ford 150 before the collision is asked to call the New York State Police at 845-344-5300 and reference RMS number NY2400711498.