Fiery Crash Sends 3 To Hospital In Hudson Valley

BLOOMING GROVE, NY — State police are investigating a late night crash Sunday in Orange County that sent three people to the hospital. Around 11:20 p.m., police responded to a single vehicle crash on Route 17 in the Town of Blooming Grove near exit 129.

The investigation so far has found that a 2003 Chevy Trail Blazer was traveling west on Route 17 when it left the roadway on the north shoulder.

The Chevy struck a guide rail, overturned and came to rest on its passenger side facing south across the westbound lanes.

It burst into flames, police said.

All three of the car's occupants were ejected from the vehicle.

Wesley Smith, 19, the driver from New Windsor, and his passengers — Amber Santiago, 19, of Newburgh, and Nageria Smith, 23, of Queens — were taken to Westchester Medical Center and are listed in critical condition.

Because this is an ongoing investigation, state police are asking anyone who may have witnessed the accident to call the New York State Police Bureau of Criminal Investigation at Monroe at 845-782-8311.

State police were assisted at the scene by Kiryas Joel EMS, Blooming Grove Fire Department, South Blooming Grove Fire Department and Monroe Joint Fire District.

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