Thirty-two-year-old Greenfield Park resident Amiel Maerling has been named as the victim of a terrible wrong-way accident on Wednesday 25 Sept. 2024 night along State Route 17 near Goshen. Officials claim that Orange County 911 issued an alert about a car heading eastbound in State Route 17’s westbound lanes about 10:05 PM.
How The Tragic Event Transpired
Apparently driven by Maerling, the Ford F-150 pickup truck was headed east from Sullivan County. The wrong-way car passed a Middletown Police Department member between Exits 119 and 118 throughout course of travel. The officer turned around to try to stop the wayward car. Moments later, the Ford also passed a State Trooper between Exits 120 and 119; the trooper turned back and pursued the car in an attempt to stop it.
Maerling kept accelerating eastward at great speed in spite of these attempts. He struck a 2020 International tractor-trailer head-on near Exit 122. The effect caused both cars to catch fire and sadly Maerling was declared deceased at the site. The tractor-trailer driver suffered major injuries and was then taken to Garnet Health Medical Centre for treatment.
Investigation Continues
Involved in the attempts to stop the wrong-way vehicle were the Middletown Police, Wallkill Town Police, and Orange County Sheriff’s office. Currently under investigation is the incident to ascertain the circumstances underlying this sad occurrence.
