A devastating crash on Route 17 has left the Vishnitzer community in mourning after a horrific collision claimed the life of a respected yungerman returning from a Vishnitzer Rebbeisha chasunah in Monsey.
Sources tell Monsey Scoop that R’ Mordachai Zafir Z”L, 54, and his 17-year-old son were traveling back to the Vishnitz (Gibbers) community in Kiamesha after attending the chasunah of the granddaughter of the Viznitzer Rebbe of Monsey and the grandson of the Viznitzer Rebbe of Kiamesha when tragedy struck. At approximately 1:45 AM, near exits 126/127, a wrong-way driver collided head-on with their vehicle in a fatal crash.
R’ Mordachai Z”L was tragically niftar at the scene. His son sustained serious injuries and was initially rushed to Garnet Medical Center in Middletown before being transferred to Westchester Medical Center, where he remains in serious but stable condition. The tzibur is urged to daven for his refuah sheleimah—his name for Tehillim is Kalman Yehoshua Ben Esther Malka Bracha. The driver of the wrong-way vehicle was also pronounced dead at the scene.
New York State Police have launched a full-scale investigation into the incident to determine how and why the second vehicle was traveling in the wrong direction, leading to the fatal crash.
Chesed Shel Emes and Misaskim volunteers worked tirelessly throughout the night at the scene, ensuring proper kavod hames for the niftar.
Levaya details will be shared once they become available.
(VIDEO CREDIT – Rockland Video Productions)
