TO: MEDIA

FROM: HOLLEY CARNRIGHT

DATE: FEBRUARY 10, 2016
RE: PRESS RELEASE - GRAND JURY INVESTIGATION COMPLETED REGARDING THE DEATHS OF
JONTE CLARK, DANTE CRUMP, ADAM JEFF MCQUEEN, AND KAIREEM MEEKS JR, IN
SAUGERTIES ON AUGUST 26, 2015.
At approximately 11:35 AM on August 26, 2015, police and emergency rescue
workers responded to the area of 76 Dock Street in the Village of Saugerties
and found an overturned vehicle. The vehicle had been driven over an
embankment near Montgomery Street, became airborne, and landed on Dock Street.
The vehicle was operated at the time of the incident by 20 year old Meredith
McSpirit. In the vehicle were four passengers, Jonte Clark, Dante Crump, Adam
Jeff McQueen and Kaireem Meeks Jr. All four passengers were killed.
The January 5th, 2016 term of the Ulster County Grand Jury, after hearing
evidence for several days from numerous witnesses, determined not to file
criminal charges relating to this incident.
There are strict laws which prohibit me from sharing detailed information
concerning the evidence that was presented to the Grand Jury. However, there
is some information that I can provide, information that was developed from
the investigation prior to the Grand Jury proceeding.
My office was involved in the investigation of this matter from the onset. I
find the investigation conducted by the Town of Saugerties Police Department
to be thorough and professional. We have also sought the assistance of various
resources from the NYS Police.
Central to the investigation was the question whether there was evidence to
suggest that the vehicles operator was impaired at the time of the operation
of the vehicle. That part of the investigation included interviews of
individuals who had contact with or worked with Ms. McSpirit that morning,
video of the operation of the vehicle prior to the crash, statements made by
Ms. McSpirit to both medical personnel and law enforcement, and laboratory
analysis of her blood. The Grand Jury found that no such evidence of
impairment exists.
In addition to the above inquiry our investigation included an accident
reconstruction, analysis of the speed of operation of the vehicle, and an
examination of the vehicle itself for mechanical defects.
Prior to this release we have spoken with many of the survivors of the four
young men who were killed. It is troubling, at best, not to be able to give
them a concrete explanation as to how this terrible, terrible, tragedy
occurred. The collective prayers and sympathies of my staff and the many
investigators involved in this matter go out to them, small solace in the face
of such a loss.