Hudson Valley Man Dies In Police Custody After New Year’s Crash

A New Year’s traffic stop in the Hudson Valley ended in tragedy.

On Jan. 1, 2026, around 10:30 p.m., a New York State Trooper assigned to the Montgomery Barracks observed a 2012 Volkswagen traveling eastbound on State Route 17K in the Town of Newburgh in alleged violation of the New York State Vehicle and Traffic Law.

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Police report that the driver, later identified as 39-year-old Marcus A. Burks of Newburgh, refused to pull over and fled police. A chase lasted for about two minutes before the trooper stopped chasing after entering the City of Newburgh.

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The Volkswagen continued traveling eastbound on Broadway at a very high speed and ended up hitting a 2002 Toyota that was making a left-hand turn from a business driveway onto Broadway, police say.

The unnamed 19-year-old driver of the Toyota and a 20-year-old passenger, both from Newburgh, were transported to Montefiore St. Luke’s Cornwall Hospital with non-life-threatening injuries.

Newburgh, New York Man Dies In Police Custody

Burks was detained by police after the crash. While he police custody, he became "unresponsive," according to police.

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"Life-saving measures were administered, and he was transported to Montefiore St. Luke’s Cornwall Hospital, where he was later pronounced deceased," New York State Police told Hudson Valley Post.

A cause of death wasn't released. The New York State Attorney General’s Office was notified of the incident and responded.

New York State Police's investigation is ongoing. Anyone who witnessed the collision is asked to contact the New York State Police, State Police Montgomery Bureau of Criminal Investigation at (845) 344-5300.

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