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On Saturday evening (8/2/14) at approximately 8:40pm, deputies from the Sullivan County Sheriff’s Office responded to a two car head on collision on State Route 17B near Pucky Huddle Road in the Town of Bethel. Upon arriving at the scene deputies found that a red Toyota Camry, which had been traveling eastbound toward Monticello, crossed over the pavement markings into the oncoming lane and struck a Ford passenger van with 8 occupants. The driver of the Camry was apparently killed in the collision. The van, which was returning from a shopping trip to Woodbury Commons in Orange County, was heading to Camp Lavi in Lakewood Pensylvania, near Honesdale. All of the occupants, which ranged in age from 19 to 28 years old, were injured.

Firefighters from White Lake and Kauneonga Lake responded to the scene as well as EMS personnel from Mobile Medic, Bethel Ambulance, and Hatzola. 5 of the victims were taken to Catskill Regional Medical Center in Harris, two were transported to Ellenville Hospital and one refused medical aid.

The driver of the Toyota Camry was pronounced dead at the scene by Sullivan County Coroner Tom Warren.

The Sheriff’s Office is witholding the name of the deceased driver pending notification of next of kin. The cause of the crash is under investigation.

Deputies were assisted at the scene by State Troopers and Town of Bethel Constables.

Misaskim was not needed in this tragic incident.

(YWN Sullivan County Newsroom)