GREENPORT—A New York City woman was killed when she was struck by an Amtrak train, September 11.
Columbia County 911 dispatched the Hudson Fire Department, the Greenport Rescue Squad and the Hudson Police Department to the railroad tracks, north of the Hudson Amtrak Train Station for a report of a person struck by a train at 7:50 p.m. When officials subsequently determined that the incident was in the Town of Greenport, the Columbia County Sheriff’s Office began an investigation.
They found that a southbound Amtrak passenger train destined for New York City, struck and killed Anna M. Podgorbunski, 54, of New York City as she walked northbound on the train tracks. The incident occurred about a mile or mile and a half north of the Hudson station.
Sheriff’s Office Public Information Officer Louis Bray told The Columbia Paper that Ms. Podgorbunski was walking on the tracks with an acquaintance at the time she was hit. He said the victim reportedly liked to walk on the tracks along the river because it was scenic.
He said it is not known why she did not get out of the oncoming train’s path as she walked toward it.
Units were still on scene at 9:50 p.m. that night.
Investigating for the Sheriff’s Office were Lt. Louis Bray, Sr. Inv. Kevin Skype, Inv. Ian Boehme, Deputies David Stevens, Daniel Keyser, and Jason Garvey.
Also on scene assisting the Sheriff’s Office with this investigation were representatives from Amtrak, and the Amtrak police, as well as members of the Hudson Police Department, Hudson Fire Department, Greenport Rescue Squad, Greenport Fire Department, the New York State Police, and Coroner Bernadette Powis.
•Sheriff’s deputies were dispatched to a business on Fairview Avenue for a reported larceny, August 31 at 1:56 p.m. The person suspected of the larceny left the business, and patrols were on the lookout for him and his vehicle. They were both subsequently found on Joslen Boulevard.
The driver of the vehicle was identified as Jeremy M. Short, 50, of Hudson, who was allegedly intoxicated. Deputy Thomas Merante, Jr., arrested Mr. Short at 2:31 p.m. on charges of aggravated driving while intoxicated(DWI)–blood alcohol content (BAC)>.18% (.23%); DWI–first offense; uninspected motor vehicle, and unlicensed operator. Mr. Short was issued tickets directing him to appear in Greenport Court at a later date to answer the charges.
On the same date at 5:25 p.m., deputies were dispatched to another Fairview Avenue business, this time for a reported property damage auto accident in which a vehicle struck the building and damaged it. When deputies arrived, they again found Mr. Short, who was the operator of the vehicle.
This time Deputy Brian McSween arrested Mr. Short at 5:47 p.m. for DWI–BAC >.18%, (his BAC was now .18%); DWI–first offense; uninspected motor vehicle, and unlicensed operator. He was once again issued tickets directing him to Greenport Court at a later date to answer the charges.