Arrest Made After Driver Evading Police Collides With School Bus

Rockland Daily Staff

After trying to evade police on Tuesday afternoon on Route 9W, a Haverstraw driver was arrested.

A Clarkstown police officer pulled over a car headed southbound on Route 9W after he noticed it was missing its front plate and registration sticker.

Instead of allowing the officer to approach, the driver drove off towards Haverstraw, passing through several red traffic lights, passing other cars in the middle lane, speeding, and sideswiping a vehicle at Route 9W and Railroad Avenue. The driver then collided with a school bus (with only the driver inside) before he jumped out of the car and ran away.

The car's driver, Israel Figueroa Rivera, age 58, was arrested and charged with fifth-degree criminal possession of a controlled substance and fifth-degree criminal possession with intent to sell, both felonies; reckless endangerment, criminal possession of stolen property, resisting arrest, obstructing governmental administration, and driving while impaired by drugs, all of which are misdemeanors. He was also issued several traffic tickets before being processed, arraigned, and remanded to the Rockland County Jail based on four prior felony convictions. 

His Stony Point Justice Court date is Tuesday, May 2.

Phote Credit: Google Maps