WALDEN, NY – Anthony Jones, a 26-year-old from Walden, received the maximum sentence of 5-15 years in prison for his conviction of Manslaughter in the Second Degree and an additional six years for Assault in the Second Degree on Wednesday, October 11, 2023.
Both sentences are set to run concurrently and will be followed by three years of post-release supervision for the assault conviction. Jones was found guilty on all counts in August after a jury trial.
According to the trial’s allegations, on the evening of August 4, 2021, Jones was driving a Ford Escape on State Route 17 in Wallkill when a fit of anger against a van carrying eight people led him to cause a collision. The tragic crash claimed the lives of three individuals, including the driver of the van, and left four others with severe injuries.
Another passenger was also injured, though not critically. Jones received treatment for pain and was discharged from a local hospital. Alarmingly, Jones was involved in another road rage incident in Crawford following the deadly August crash, details of which were presented during his trial.
A joint investigation by the New York State Police and the Orange County District Attorney’s Office concluded that Jones’s reckless and negligent behavior was the direct cause of the tragic incident. He was arrested on September 12, 2022.
In response to the sentencing, District Attorney David M. Hoovler stated, “This case is a reminder of the incredible tragedy that can be wrought in the blink of an eye.” He further acknowledged that while the sentence could never compensate for the lives lost due to Jones’s recklessness, it does hold him accountable. Hoovler extended his gratitude to the New York State Police and the prosecutors for their dedication to the case, expressing hope that the verdict brings some closure to the victims’ families.