Esopus, New York — A quiet stretch of Route 9W turned tragic before dawn Wednesday when a 63‑year‑old Port Ewen resident lost her life in a head‑on collision that left another driver injured. The crash happened just after 6 a.m. on January 21, 2026, along a busy highway that winds through Ulster County’s Hudson River corridor.
Troopers from the New York State Police Highland Barracks were called to the scene near 1835 State Route 9W following reports of a severe two‑vehicle collision. What they found were two heavily damaged vehicles off the road and a scene of chaos in the cold early morning light.
State Police say the northbound 2009 Smart car driven by Jennifer L. Burke of Port Ewen somehow veered across the center line and into the path of a southbound 2018 Volkswagen Tiguan. For reasons that remain under investigation, the small car entered the opposite lane and was struck head‑on.
Burke was violently ejected from her vehicle in the impact. First responders pronounced her dead at the scene, leaving loved ones reeling and the tight‑knit Hudson Valley community searching for answers.
The driver of the Volkswagen, a 49‑year‑old man from nearby West Park, was trapped inside his SUV and had to be freed by rescuers. He was taken by New Paltz Rescue Squad to Vassar Brothers Medical Center with injuries described as non‑life‑threatening.
State Police and local emergency teams, including the Esopus Fire Department and Ulster County Sheriff’s Office, worked for hours to clear the scene and reopen the road. Route 9W was shut down for more than four hours as investigators documented evidence and crews removed debris.
At this time, there’s no word on whether weather, vehicle issues, or a medical emergency played a role. The investigation remains active, and officials are asking anyone who might have seen the vehicles before the crash to contact the State Police Highland Bureau of Criminal Investigation.
