A man who lost his life after a fiery car crash in Dutchess County has been identified by police.

On Nov. 9 around 1:30 p.m., the Town of Hyde Park Police Department
received multiple calls reporting an auto accident that had just occurred on Route 9, Albany Post Road, between Scenic Drive and Ledges Drive in Hyde Park.

An investigation revealed that a single vehicle, travelling south on Route 9, crossed into northbound lane, left the roadway, struck a rock wall, then a tree, before coming to a stop and catching on fire.

The driver, 83-year-old Robert B. Stattel, of New York, NY, was pronounced dead on the scene. He was the only occupant in his car, police say.

The Hyde Park and Fairview Fire Departments initially responded and extinguished the fire. The Roosevelt Fire Department responded later to assist with the recovery of the driver. Hyde Park Police were assisted in the investigation by the Dutchess County Sheriff’s Office and their CRASH team for accident reconstruction as well as the Dutchess County Medical Examiner’s Office.

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