Cops ID 2 Dead In Wrong-Way Crash On I-287: Update

UPDATE 1:31 PM — While New York state troopers were trying to get to a reported wrong-way driver on I-287 just before 8:30 p.m. Thursday, they heard there had been a crash. Down the road they found the driver of a 2006 Jeep traveling west in the eastbound lanes had hit a 2018 BMW 330CI with four people inside.

Police said the driver of the BMW, Jordan H. Wachtell, 57, of Ardsley, was pronounced dead at the scene. One of his passengers, Eric B. Goldberg, 17, of Ardsley, was pronounced dead on the way to Westchester Medical Center.

Two other 17-year-olds in the BMW, Preston J. Wachtell of Ardsley and Jack H. Rosen of White Plains, were taken to Westchester Medical Center with serious injuries.

Jaime O. Paucar, 50, of Amawalk, the driver of the Jeep, was also transported to Westchester Medical Center for non-life-threatening injuries, police said.

Preliminary investigation suggests the crash caused the Jeep to roll over and come to rest on the center median guide rail.

Both eastbound lanes on I-287, between exits 9 and 9A, in the town of Harrison, Westchester County, were closed for nearly 5 ½ hours as police investigated the crash. Traffic was diverted off the Thruway at the Brewster exit until shortly before 2 a.m.

While an initial press release stated three cars were involved and one person died, only two vehicles were involved in the fatal crash and two are dead, police said.

Editor's Note: The driver of the Jeep was Jaime O. Paucar. Police spelled his first name wrong in their original press release.

HARRISON, NY — One person died Thursday evening in a car crash on the Cross Westchester Expressway. New York State police said the crash, investigation and cleanup kept the eastbound side of I-287 closed overnight.

Police were called to the highway near mile marker 7.2 in Harrison at 8:30 p.m. for a wrong-way crash, according to news reports. Traffic was diverted off at Exit 9A Brewster.

State troopers announced the reopening of all lanes at 6:37 a.m.

Police withheld the name of the person who died pending notification of the family.