The vehicle, travelling southbound on Route 9 at about 1:25 p.m. Wednesday, Nov. 9, had crossed into the oncoming lane, left the roadway, struck a rock wall and finally struck a tree before the vehicle caught fire. The driver, who was the sole occupant, has been identified as Robert B Stattel, 83, of New York City, who also maintained a residence in Columbia County.
The Hyde Park and Fairview Fire Departments initially responded and extinguished the fire and the Roosevelt Fire Department responded later to assist with the recovery of the driver, as reported previously by Daily Voice.
Hyde Park Police were assisted in the investigation by the Dutchess County Sheriff’s Office and their CRASH team for accident reconstruction as well as the Dutchess County Medical Examiner’s Office.
Stattel's most recent Broadway performance was in "Little Women" from January to May 2005, when he played the role of Mr. Laurence, The Knight. He earlier was a member of the cast of "King Lear" and "Sherlock Holmes."
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