Witnesses Pull Palisades Parkway Speeder From Burning Car: NYSP

STONY POINT, NY — A speeder on the Palisades Parkway crashed into a tree Thursday morning, spreading car parts into the northbound lanes, before being rescued from his burning car by passing motorists, state police said.

Police were called to the multi-vehicle incident near exit 17 at 8:30 a.m.

Their preliminary investigation revealed that a 2021 Hyundai Kona was traveling south at a high rate of speed and passing vehicles when the driver lost control and went off the road into the center median, crashing into a tree and catching on fire in the northbound lanes.

Pieces from the front end of the Hyundai broke loose in the collision and were propelled into the northbound lanes, striking three vehicles, a 2017 Mazda SUV, a 2020 Honda SUV, and a 2015 Toyota SUV.

The operator of the 2021 Hyundai was pulled from his vehicle and to safety by multiple witnesses and motorists. Identified as Usher Schwartz, 28, from Montreal, Canada, he was transported to Westchester Medical Center in serious condition.

The occupants of the other vehicles did not require any medical attention.

Traffic on the northbound side of the parkway was stopped by the burning car and the subsequent investigation and cleanup. The Stony Point Fire Department responded.

State Police thanked the firefighters and the motorists who stopped and aided the occupants of all vehicles involved.

Because of numerous motor vehicles crashes on the Palisades Interstate Parkway resulting in fatal and serious injuries, New York State police conducted an Aggressive Driving Campaign May 15 - 28. SEE: Aggressive Driving Targeted On Palisades Parkway In Rockland