Spring Valley police: Yonkers man charged in multivehicle crash that injured 2 officers, 7 others

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Spring Valley police say a Yonkers man faces multiple charges in a Wednesday multivehicle crash that left nine people injured on a busy roadway. The crash happened just before 7 p.m. on Route 59 between New Clarkstown Road and Dutch Lane. Seven cars were involved, including two police cars. Authorities say an officer saw a vehicle stopped in the westbound lane of Route 59 with no vehicles in front of it. News 12's Lisa LaRocca's noon report on the Spring Valley multivehicle crash. The officer noticed the driver of the vehicle, later identified as 54-year-old Nelson Torres, appeared to be unresponsive while the vehicle was still in drive. The officer then placed his patrol car in front of the vehicle to protect the public, called additional officers to the scene and attempted to get inside the car to help Torres. When officers were unable to get Torres' attention or gain entry to the vehicle, police say the officers attempted to break the window to get inside. Police say Torres did wake up, but fled the scene westbound on Route 59. Authorities say Torres intentionally crashed his vehicle into police cars and occupied vehicles in an attempt to get away. The vehicle then became disabled down the road and was pinned by police cars. Officers removed Torres and took him into custody, according to police. Authorities say two officers and several people were taken to local hospitals with minor injuries. Torres, who also suffered minor injuries, was taken to Nyack Hospital for medical and psychological evaluation. Torres was charged with reckless endangerment, unlawful fleeing a police officer in a motor vehicle, reckless driving, leaving the scene of a personal injury accident, driving while ability impaired, driving while ability impaired by drugs and other vehicle and traffic offenses. "