Sheriff warns residents to lock cars after 14-year-old steals car, causes fatal crash in Rhinebeck last week

A 14-year-old stole a car and crashed into a vehicle in Rhinebeck, killing its operator

The Dutchess County Sheriff’s Office reported a two-car fatal crash involving a stolen vehicle, which occurred at approximately 6:25 am on March 28, 2023 on Route 9 in the Town of Rhinebeck. 

Preliminary investigation has revealed that a 2017 Chevrolet van operated by Jonathan A. Kiech, 49, of Ford, New Jersey, was traveling northbound on Route 9 when it was struck head-on by a southbound 2015 Toyota 4Runner. Kiech was pronounced dead at the scene, and the juvenile was initially transported to Mid-Hudson Regional Hospital for non-life-threatening injuries but has since been remanded to a secure detention facility pending further investigation/charges.

The 4Runner was a confirmed stolen vehicle from the State of Connecticut, and its operator was a 14-year-old juvenile. The 4Runner in this crash is one of several reported as stolen from the northern Dutchess County/Eastern Connecticut areas during the late-night hours of March 27, 2023 or early morning hours of March 28, 2023. Further investigation into those thefts is continuing, however at this time they are thought to be the work of an organized group which has previously operated out of Connecticut. 

The sheriff’s office reminds residents to:

• Always lock their vehicles,

• Never leave valuables or the keys/fob inside,

• Never leave the vehicle running unattended, and

• Never confront the perpetrator(s) yourself as they should be considered armed and dangerous.

If you observe a suspicious person or someone attempting to commit one of these thefts, please call 911 immediately and let law enforcement handle the matter.

https://www.dutchessny.gov/Departments/Sheriff/Fatal-crash-involving-stolen-vehicle-under-investigation.htm 

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