The New York State Police would like to speak with members of the public who were in the vicinity of Tuesday’s wrong way crash in the Village of Suffern on the New York State Thruway.

One witness has reported seeing a vehicle fitting the description of Richard Christopher’s vehicle parked facing southbound in the median of I-87 shortly before calls were received that a vehicle was traveling southbound in the northbound lanes.

Other witnesses have since reported observing a vehicle fitting the description of Christopher’s vehicle make a u-turn on I-87 northbound in the area of the I-287 overpass, approximately 1/2 mile north of the accident scene.

Anyone who witnessed the vehicle parked in the median, make a u-turn or witnessed events leading up to the crash are asked to contact investigators at SP Haverstraw at 845-364-0200.

At approximately 6:54 AM on August 12, 2014, NYS Thruway communications received calls of a blue pickup truck traveling southbound in the northbound lanes of I-87 in the area of exit 15 in the Village of Suffern. Immediately following, Thruway dispatch received calls for a two vehicle accident at mpm 29.5.

Troopers immediately responded and encountered a two vehicle collision at that location with the drivers and sole occupants deceased.

A preliminary investigation has revealed that a 2002 Dodge Dakota operated by Richard E. Christopher, age 32, of Suffern, NY was traveling southbound in the northbound lanes of I-87 for unknown reasons.

Christopher’s vehicle struck head-on, a 2003 Honda CRV operated by James B. DeVito, age 59, of Airmont, NY. Both drivers were pronounced dead at the scene.

State Police can confirm Richard Christopher was a member of the New York City Police Department who was off-duty at the time of the accident.

The investigation into the accident is continuing with the assistance of the New York State Police Collision reconstruction unit, as well the State Police Bureau of Criminal Investigation.

(YWN Monsey Newsroom)