Heartbroken parents share concerns about police investigation after Poughkeepsie bicycle crash that killed their son
The heartbroken parents of a Poughkeepsie teen who died last August in a bicycle accident are speaking with News 12 about their concerns with the police investigation.
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The heartbroken parents of a Poughkeepsie teen who died last August in a bicycle accident are speaking with News 12 about their concerns with the police investigation.
Town of Poughkeepsie police say 14-year-old Jac Cortes was riding his bicycle Aug. 8, at approximately 4:50 p.m., along the shoulder of Vassar Road when the incident occurred. Police say he was behind a friend and toward oncoming traffic when his friend stopped short, and Cortes fell into the road.
They say the Wappingers Junior High School student was then fatally struck by a pickup truck.
Cortes’ parents, however, allege there are inconsistencies in the accident report, and say police have yet to turn over evidence to their attorney.
“We just want some understanding and, if needed, justice for Jac,” says Christina Cortes. He deserves it.”
“Public officers law Article 6 requires the Town of Poughkeepsie to provide public information about this case to the family,” says Cortes’ family attorney Greg Sobo. “This has been quite some time now that they’ve had our freedom of information law request. The law requires they turn over these details and for some reason, they’re not doing it.”
Town of Poughkeepsie police say the tragedy was ruled an accident and that no charges or tickets will be filed against the driver.
“The devastation that it has brought our family is just indescribable,” Juan Cortes says. I would not wish my worst enemy to feel this way that we feel since all this happened.”
News 12 reached out to the Town of Poughkeepsie police for more information. They released the following statement:
"The Town of Poughkeepsie Police Department conducted a thorough investigation into the accident, and we stand by the findings in the accident investigation report. We have received several FOIL requests regarding the body camera video from this incident. The time it takes to redact these videos is extensive," says Town of Poughkeepsie Captain Ralph Cropley. "It is not unusual for a request for body camera footage from any incident to take several months to complete. The Department continues to extend its condolences to Jac Cortes’s family for their loss."
