Ulster Woman Charged in Route 299 Hit-And-Run
An Ulster County woman was arrested after she allegedly seriously injured a female on a bicycle and fled the scene.
On Sunday evening, New Paltz Police responded to report of an accident where a woman riding a bicycle was hit by a vehicle on State Route 299 in the area of Butterville Road in the Town of New Paltz.
Arriving officers found a 25-year-old female bicyclist with major injuries. The cyclist was air lifted to Westchester Medical Center with serious injuries. Her condition is unknown at this time.
According to witnesses, the cyclist was riding west on Route 299 when a red Jeep, also traveling west, hit the bicycle from behind. The cyclist was thrown off the bike and landed in a wooded area on the north side of the road.
The alleged driver of the red Jeep, later identified as 49-year-old Amy Ashkenas of New Paltz stopped her car, exited her vehicle, walked over to the injured cyclists, noticed the state of the injured woman and fled the area, witness say.
Ashkenas turned herself into New Paltz Police Monday morning. She was charged with leaving the scene of a personal injury motor vehicle accident, a felony.
Ashkenas was released on her own recognizance to return to New Paltz court on Sept. 27.
The investigation is continuing and anyone who may have witnessed the accident or have information about the suspect is asked to contact the New Paltz Police Department at (845) 255-1323. All calls will be kept confidential.
The New Paltz Police Department was assisted at the scene by the New York State Police, Highland Barracks, the New York State Police Collision Reconstruction Unit, the New Paltz Fire Department, the Gardiner Fire Department and the New Paltz Rescue Squad.