Hempstead father, 7-year-old son die in New Rochelle car crash

A Hempstead father and son died in a crash on Sunday in New Rochelle, authorities said.

New Rochelle police on Monday identified Troy Carter, 37, as the driver in the crash at Pelhamdale Avenue at the intersection of a Hutchinson River Parkway exit ramp in the Westchester County city. His son Carmello Carter, 7, who also died in the crash, was the rear driver side passenger, police said.

Troy Carter’s other two children, ages 7 and 11, were in the vehicle and are hospitalized at Jacobi Medical Center in the Bronx, police said.

Police responded to the scene of the crash at 1:32 a.m. and found a gray Nissan Altima had crashed into a brick retaining wall opposite the exit ramp of the parkway. Troy Carter had suffered severe injuries from the crash and was pronounced dead at the scene, police said.

Carmello was pronounced dead at Jacobi, police said.

An 11-year-old girl, Troy Carter’s daughter, was found sitting in the front passenger seat, police said. She was also taken to Jacobi Hospital.

Police said Carmello's brother was listed in critical condition and undergoing multiple surgeries Tuesday. His sister underwent surgery, but was expected to recover.

New Rochelle Police Capt. J. Collins Coyne said police did not suspect drugs or alcohol in the crash, but were awaiting toxicology reports. He said there was no suspicion of criminality. The cause of the single-vehicle crash remained under investigation.

"It's just a tragic accident," Coyne said.

Carmello was a third grader just shy of his 8th birthday next week, according to a GoFundMe page that had raised nearly $39,000 set up by the family to cover funeral costs and hospital bills.

With John Asbury