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Wappinger Man, 27, Charged After Fleeing Scene Of Fatal Route 376 Crash

A 27-year-old Wappinger man is behind bars after fleeing the scene of a fatal crash that occurred on Route 376 in the Town of Wappinger on Saturday night, Feb. 17, the Dutchess County Sheriff's Office said.

Route 376 at Maloney Road.

Route 376 at Maloney Road.

Photo Credit: Google Maps street view

The crash occurred near Maloney Road at about 7:30 p.m. Upon arrival, Dutchess County sheriff's deputies discovered 71-year-old Anita Duncan of Hopewell Junction trapped in her vehicle. She was transported to MidHudson Regional Hospital after being extricated.

Preliminary investigation revealed that a 2008 Subaru operated by Duncan was southbound on Route 376 when it was struck head-on by a northbound 2013 BMW, which as operated by Anthony J. Testerman of Wappinger and had failed to keep right, the Dutchess County Sheriff's Office said.

Both vehicles then struck a third vehicle, a 2006 Dodge operated by 25-year-old Joseph Quick of Kingston, which was southbound behind Duncan's Subaru. 

Quick was uninjured, and Duncan was pronounced dead at the hospital.

Testerman fled the scene on foot immediately after the crash, but was located by a sheriff’s office K-9 a short time later, the sheriff's office said. 

Testerman has been charged with the following:

  • Leaving the scene of a fatal accident – Felony
  • Circumventing an interlock device – Misdeamenor 
  • Aggravated unlicensed operation of a vehicle – Misdeamenor
  • Criminal possession of marihuana 5th degree – Misdeamenor
  • Refusal to submit to a breath test – Traffic Infraction

After being processed, Testerman was arraigned before the Town of Wappinger Court, after which he was remanded to the Dutchess County Jail in lieu of $50,000 cash or $100,000 bond.

The investigation is continuing by members of the Sheriff’s Office Detective Bureau and Crash Investigation Unit, and further charges are possible at a later time. The Sheriff’s Office was assisted at the scene by the New Hackensack Fire Department and Town of Wappinger Ambulance.

The Investigation of the crash is ongoing.

Check back to Daily Voice for updates.

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