Driver Charged in Fatal Crash on Route 9W

A Poughkeepsie man, Francisco Vasquez-Cruz, faces a vehicular manslaughter charge following a crash in Highland that took the life of a 41-year-old Wallkill man. Vasquez-Cruz was also charged with driving while intoxicated and unlicensed operation of a motor vehicle after the Route 9W accident Thursday involving an SUV and a motorcycle. The motorcycle driver, Fernando Diaz Jr., was traveling south on Route 9W at 10:30 p.m. when Vasquez-Cruz, who was driving a Chevy Trailblazer without the headlights on, stuck the motorcycle. Diaz was taken to Saint Francis Hospital where he died from internal injuries. Vasquez-Cruz was arraigned before Judge Eugene Rizzo in Llyod Town Court. Rizzo sent him to Ulster County Jail on $50,000 bail or $100,000 bond. Contact us 24/7 for a free case appraisal. Read the full article here: The Poughkeepsie Journal