A 43-year-old Tillson man was struck and killed on the New York State Thruway in Yonkers on Thanksgiving evening, shortly after attending the holiday parade in New York City. The victim, identified as Christopher A. Colom of Tilson, New York, leaves behind two young children.
According to New York State Police, the incident occurred around 6:30 p.m. on Thursday, Nov. 28, near Interstate 87’s left lane. Colom’s 2011 Honda Accord became disabled, and he exited the vehicle. At that point, a 2002 Lexus ES 300, driven by 48-year-old Wilmer Figueroa of Danbury, Connecticut, attempted to avoid the stopped Honda and entered the median shoulder, striking Colom.
Emergency responders from the Yonkers Fire Department and Empress EMS tried to save Colom’s life, but he was pronounced dead at the scene. State Police say the investigation is ongoing.
Family members described Colom, a Culinary Institute of America graduate who had once earned a Michelin star, as a devoted father who spent his final day watching the parade and enjoying New York City with his girlfriend.