Westchester men charged in state police pursuit spanning two counties
State police say the car was pulled over and two occupants were identified: Martin Gjurashaj, 45, of Yonkers, who was driving, and passenger Daniel Curanovic, 27, of Tuckahoe.
Two Westchester men have been charged in a state police pursuit that spanned two counties Friday and ended in a two-car collision on the entrance ramp to I-87 in Harriman.
Authorities say the incident started around 12 p.m. in the Town of Mamakating, in Sullivan County, when they received a report of a grey convertible driving below the speed limit and swerving on Route 209. The vehicle was located by state police and determined to be a 2011 Mercedes-Benz, which was allegedly seen by a responding trooper swerving into oncoming traffic.
State police say the car was pulled over and two occupants were identified: Martin Gjurashaj, 45, of Yonkers, who was driving, and passenger Daniel Curanovic, 27, of Tuckahoe.
Gjurashaj took off while he was being questioned by police and entered Route 17 eastbound at a high rate of speed, according to officials. Police pursued the vehicle until they say it crashed into an uninvolved car while entering the New York State Thruway in Orange County.
Police say the vehicle struck a marked state police vehicle on Route 17 in Monroe before the final crash that ended the pursuit.
Officials say Gjurashaj and Curanovic suffered minor injuries and were taken to the hospital. It’s not known if anyone inside the uninvolved vehicle struck was hurt.
Gjurashaj was arrested and charged with DWAI, reckless endangerment, unlawful fleeing, obstruction of governmental administration, and criminal mischief. He was remanded to Sullivan County Jail.
Curanovic was charged with criminal possession of a controlled substance and issued an appearance ticket.
