Driver of Monticello crash pronounced dead

The driver of a Jeep Cherokee that collided with a ShortLine bus on Route 42 in Monticello yesterday has been pronounced dead, a New York State Police press release said.

Yesterday afternoon, according to the press release, the driver of the Jeep clipped a vehicle in the northbound lane of Route 42 while attempting to pass another car, which caused the Jeep to swerve and slide sideways into the southbound lane of Route 42 where he hit the ShortLine bus. At the time, the bus was stopped, according to the press release.

The driver of the Jeep was transported to Catskill Regional Medical Center after the crash and was later pronounced dead. The identification of the victim is being withheld pending notification of the driver's next of kin, the press release said.

Witness told The Times Herald-Record yesterday that after being clipped, the Jeep crashed drivers-side-first into the bus and flipped sideways.

Monticello Fire Department and Mobil Medic assisted on the scene, as well as the Commercial Vehicle Enforcement Unit of the New York State Police.