Former R.B. mayor involved in wrong-way parkway crash

December 19, 2024 at 2:28 a.m.

Former Rye Brook Mayor Joan Feinstein was identified by Westchester County officials as the wrong-way driver who crashed into a family of five on the Hutchinson River Parkway just after midnight on Monday, Dec. 16. Though the 75-year-old suffered serious injuries, all are expected to recover. (File Photo/Westmore News)

The northbound lanes of the Hutchinson River Parkway in Rye Brook were shut down for seven hours after a serious car crash occurred shortly after midnight on Monday, Dec. 16.

According to Westchester County Police Chief James Luciano, who spoke during a press conference alongside County Executive George Latimer later that day, officers responded to the portion of the parkway near Lincoln Avenue and found two vehicles had collided. One of the drivers was reportedly traveling in the wrong direction.

Latimer identified the wrong-way driver as Joan Feinstein—a well-known community figure in Rye Brook who has formerly served as mayor, a Village trustee and on the Blind Brook Board of Education.

Feinstein, 75, crashed her Mercedez sedan into a Dodge SUV carrying New Haven, Conn. resident Mordechai Sandman, his wife Miriam and their three children, aged 12, 17, and 25.

All but one of the members of the family were injured and transferred to various hospitals in the area. Feinstein suffered life-threatening injuries to her internal organs and lower extremities and was transported to the Westchester Medical Center in Valhalla.

The county executive said she is in critical condition but expected to survive.

Officers were unable to obtain statements regarding the details of the accident at the scene due to the severity of injuries sustained by the involved parties.

Luciano added that a preliminary investigation revealed that alcohol was not involved in the accident, though a toxicology report had yet to be performed.

The circumstances of the crash will continue to be investigated. Luciano said that should the need to press charges arise, the district attorney would do so.

Latimer said the incident has moved the county to begin a dialog with the state government, which operates and owns the parkway, to suggest changes that may decrease similar incidents.

“We want to do anything we can to reduce these tragedies in the days to come,” he said. “We hope that our work with the New York State Department of Transportation will help make this the kind of story that doesn’t repeat in the future.”