Robert Violante dies in fatal New Castle car crash
Fatal New Castle car crash death of Robert Violante – Obituary
Robert Violante, a 45-year-old from Granite Springs and head football coach at Bergenfield High School, tragically died following a two-vehicle collision on the Taconic State Parkway in New Castle on Wednesday, May 14.
According to New York State Police, a 2014 Ram ProMaster van driven by 50-year-old Yader A. Reyes of Long Branch, New Jersey, was heading south when it veered across the median into the northbound lanes. The van then struck Violante’s 2024 Honda Accord, which was traveling in the left passing lane.
Three passengers in the van—Odenis Balladares Martinez, 20, of Neptune; Harrison Mauricio Reyes Rivera, 34, of Long Branch; and Bryan Aguilar Castillo, 45, of Asbury Park—were pronounced dead at the scene.
Violante was transported to a nearby hospital, where he later died from his injuries. Reyes, the van’s driver, was critically injured and remains hospitalized at Westchester Medical Center.
Authorities said the crash, which took place at mile marker 9.2 near exits 8 and 9, caused the van to flip and catch fire. The roadway was shut down for several hours while crews responded and investigated.
The exact cause of the collision remains under investigation, and police are asking anyone with information to call 845-677-7300.
