A tragic accident occurred in the City of Newburgh on January 1, 2026, resulting in the death of 39-year-old Marcus A. Burks. The two-car collision took place shortly after state police had ended a pursuit of Burks’ vehicle, a 2012 Volkswagen, for traffic violations.
The events began at approximately 10:30 p.m. when a state trooper spotted the Volkswagen traveling east on Broadway. After attempting to initiate a traffic stop, the driver failed to comply, leading to a brief pursuit lasting around two minutes. The pursuit was eventually called off by the trooper, but the Volkswagen continued at a high speed until it collided with a 2002 Toyota. The Toyota was in the process of making a left turn from a business driveway onto Broadway at the time of the crash.
Burks, who was taken into custody at the accident site, became unresponsive shortly thereafter. Despite life-saving measures administered by first responders, he was pronounced dead upon arrival at Montefiore St. Luke’s Cornwall Hospital.
The occupants of the Toyota, a 19-year-old driver and a 20-year-old passenger, both from Newburgh, sustained non-life-threatening injuries and were also taken to the same hospital for treatment.
The incident is under active investigation by state police, who are urging anyone with additional information about the collision to step forward. The City of Newburgh Police Department assisted at the scene, and the New York State Attorney General’s office was notified and responded promptly.
This tragic event underscores the dangers of high-speed pursuits and the risks involved on the road, highlighting the need for road safety awareness among drivers.