ESOPUS, New York — In the quiet chill of early Wednesday morning, a stretch of U.S. Route 9W in the Town of Esopus became the scene of a heartbreaking tragedy that has left a community searching for answers. Jennifer L. Burke, 63, a Port Ewen resident, died after her vehicle unexpectedly crossed into oncoming traffic and struck another car in a violent head-on crash.
Just after 6:14 a.m. on January 21, troopers from the New York State Police Highland Barracks were called to 1835 State Route 9W following reports of a serious two-vehicle collision. According to the preliminary investigation, Burke was driving a 2009 Smart car northbound when, for reasons that remain under investigation, her vehicle veered into the southbound lane and slammed into a 2018 Volkswagen Tiguan.
The force of the impact was devastating. Burke was ejected from her car and pronounced dead at the scene by emergency responders. The second driver, a 49-year-old man from nearby West Park, was trapped inside his vehicle after the collision. Fire crews and rescue personnel worked swiftly to extract him through a side window, and he was later taken to Vassar Brothers Medical Center with non-life-threatening injuries.
A fleet of first responders rushed to the crash site, including the Esopus Fire Department, Esopus Ambulance Squad, Empress EMS, and the Ulster County Sheriff’s Office. Both vehicles were found off the roadway on opposite sides of Route 9W when crews arrived. The road was closed for several hours while investigators and emergency workers cleared the scene, reopening later that morning just before 11.
At this early stage, no cause has been determined for why Burke’s vehicle crossed into the opposite lane. State Police said weather conditions, road surface, and potential medical issues are all being reviewed as part of the ongoing investigation. Authorities continue to ask anyone who may have witnessed the collision to contact the Highland Bureau of Criminal Investigation.
Friends, neighbors, and family members of Burke have been left to grapple with the sudden loss. In a tight-knit community where morning commutes and school runs hustle along the same corridors every day, the crash serves as a stark reminder of how swiftly life can change.
Officials remind motorists that Route 9W can be especially challenging in the early hours. They encouraged drivers to stay alert, obey speed limits, and exercise caution during dawn traffic, particularly when visibility is lower. The investigation remains active, and additional details will be released as they become available.
