Ancram firefighter dies in line of duty

By DIANE VALDEN

LIVINGSTON—State Police from the Livingston barracks are investigating a fatal motor vehicle crash involving a house which occurred June 29.

At 1 a.m., troopers were dispatched by Columbia County 911 to a residence on State Route 9 for a structure fire with two occupants inside.

One occupant was able to escape the flames prior to the arrival of first responders and was later taken to Albany Medical Center by Northern Dutchess Paramedics. The second occupant, Peter E. Lasher, age 81, was found dead inside the residence. An obituary for Mr. Lasher appears on Page 19 of the print issue.

While firefighters extinguished the flames a vehicle was discovered containing a single occupant which had struck the residence.

Initial investigation of the crash determined the 2022 Tesla Model X was traveling at a high rate of speed southbound on State Route 9 and went off the roadway.

The vehicle struck a tree and then the residence before causing the fire. The operator, who was found dead inside the vehicle, has not yet been positively identified.

This investigation is ongoing and will be updated as new information becomes available.

Clermont, Taghkanic, Germantown, Greenport, Claverack, Ancram and Mellenville firefighters all responded to the scene.

Claverack

July 4 at 7:05 p.m. Sheriff’s patrols were dispatched by Columbia County 911 for a reported motor vehicle crash with injuries. The crash occurred on State Route 66 just north of County Route 18 (Fish and Game Club Road) in Claverack, according to a press release from Columbia County Sheriff Donald Krapf.

At this time, there are two individuals who are confirmed dead as a result of the crash. The investigation is in its infancy and no further information is available at this time. Sheriff Krapf expects to have a more detailed press release as the investigation permits.

Hudson

Hudson City Police received a call from a citizen asking for their assistance in the area of North Fifth Street. The police dispatcher could hear yelling in the background on the call and then the call was disconnected.

Responding units reported coming upon a large fight in progress at North Fifth Street and Long Alley. Police found an injured 35-year-old man with a stab wound to his chest. Police say the victim was stabbed with a knife. The Greenport Rescue Squad took him to the Albany Medical Center for Treatment. The subject was not immediately identified and detectives are currently investigating the incident as a felony assault.

Police interviewed several witnesses who were in the area at the time of the stabbing, but so far no parties are cooperating with them. Police say the stabbing was an isolated incident involving an ongoing issue between two people in the same family.

Anyone who has information to share with police is asked to contact detectives at 518-828-3388.

State Police and the Sheriff’s Office assisted Hudson Police with the investigation. The victim is reportedly stable at this time. Felony charges will be forthcoming soon, police say.

To contact Diane Valden email dvalden@columbiapaper.com

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