Early morning on Tuesday, July 16, in Rock Hill, a hamlet in the Sullivan County town of Thompson, a man was shot and killed by State Police during a vehicle pursuit that injured a State Trooper.
The incident occurred near Rock Hill Drive around 2:20 a.m. The deceased driver has been identified as Albert Melendez, 32, of Middletown.
According to a news release issued by the State Police later that day, Ulster County sheriff’s deputies began chasing Melendez after 2 a.m. when they attempted to stop him for a suspended vehicle registration.
Patriotic beachwear for freedom lovers! Shop now and get 10% off with code RB10. Vet & LEO-founded.
MORE NEWS: P Diddy’s ‘List’ Put On Notice By Former Recon Marine Turned High Powered Attorney [WATCH]
The pursuit began in Ulster County, but when Melendez crossed into Sullivan County, deputies ended their chase. State Troopers then began their own chase in Wurtsboro.
During the pursuit, Melendez attempted to turn his car around at the intersection of Rock Hill Drive and Emerald Place in Rock Hill. Trooper Russell T. Peters left his patrol vehicle and yelled at Melendez to stop.
However, Melendez’s vehicle continued forward, striking Peters. In response, Peters fired his service weapon, hitting Melendez.
The troopers provided emergency medical care to Melendez before taking him to Garnet Health Medical Center, where he died.
Peters was also treated at Garnet for minor injuries and has been released.
During the pursuit, Peters was accompanied by another trooper who was driving. Sullivan County sheriff’s deputies and other State Police personnel immediately responded to the scene.
Duffy confirmed that Peters was the only trooper to fire at Melendez. The investigation into the incident is ongoing.
Join the Discussion
COMMENTS POLICY: We have no tolerance for messages of violence, racism, vulgarity, obscenity or other such discourteous behavior. Thank you for contributing to a respectful and useful online dialogue.
Obey is a great idea and will keep one alive!!!!!!
This video doesn’t show anything remotely endangering the troopers.
in fact, he was off to the sie and COULD NOT have been hit by him.
Maybe other cameras show something ifferent, but this lloks like the trooper walked up and assassinated the driver!.
Glad neither of the cops were hurt or anyone in the community by this criminal. He chose his path,,, God will sort it out.
Agree, cop suckers downvote your comment bc you don’t slurp the police state man juice, apparently.
He hit the trooper you tool. Got what he deserved!
Uh, did you not see the second half of the video?
He clearly drove straight into Peters, hitting him and the patrol car..
Stupid dies as stupid lives.
Sounds like an illegal alien invader attempting to ‘get away with it’ and lost the bet he had with himself. ‘Illegal alien invader’ cleanup on the road. if we attempted to protect ourselves in like manner “We, The People” would go to prison for murder.
That close and not a kill shot? Oh my…
I was stopped one night by two state troopers. They were real fast to the point, step out of the car. I informed the closest one addressing me that I was armed, legally. he said, fine, get out slow and keep your hands in front. Once I got out and stood up, he was like, nope, you are not who we are looking for. The car type matched, but you are at least a foot taller. Thank you for telling me about the gun, get back in your car and go .
Amazing how if you are compliant and cooperative, it goes smoothly. He never even took my gun or checked my permit (I offered). They were looking for a bad guy in a similar car, but much shorter. Professional and nice. (The other guy was behind me, so they were not being stupid,they had me covered). No yelling. Calm and professional.