Kingston High School juniors Dillon Gokey and Jack Noble were tragically killed in a “devastating automobile accident” on Monday, January 8. According to a statement issued by Superintendent of Schools Dr. Paul J. Padalino, at 9:07 a.m. on January 8, Ulster County Fire/Rescue Incidents notified the public of a rollover accident with injuries and entrapment in the vicinity of Tremper Hill Farms on Route 28 in Mount Tremper. A massive emergency response followed. Witnesses reported seeing an accident involving a car and a tractor trailer.
The initial investigation by the state police revealed that the crash occurred when Ramon LunaLuna, 54, of the Bronx, was driving a Volvo tractor trailer eastbound on Route 28 when he collided with a Honda that was stopped in the roadway waiting to turn north onto Route 212. After the crash, police say the tractor trailer crossed the center line striking a 2013 Hyundai Santa Fe head-on before rolling over. A 2018 Audi SQ5 heading West on 28 then struck the overturned truck. All three occupants of the Hyundai were juniors at Kingston High School. Gokey, 16, of Kingston and Noble, 17, of Port Ewen were pronounced dead at the scene. A third passenger in the car, Joseph Sepesi, 17 of Port Ewen was flown to Westchester Medical Center in Valhalla with serious but non-life-threatening injuries, according to police.
LunaLuna was taken for evaluation. No other injuries were reported. The investigation remains ongoing and no arrests had been made or tickets issued as of Tuesday.
Parents and students were officially notified of the tragic accident at approximately 2:10 p.m. on Monday.
“Our hearts ache as we process this tragic news,” Padalino said in a statement, “and our love and support go out to all those affected by this unimaginable loss.”
Padalino said students seeking counseling should contact Kingston High School Principal Dr. Rachael Scorca at 845-943-3701.
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