LIBERTY — On Friday December, 19, 2025 at approximately 8:28 pm the Village of Liberty Police Department responded to a report of a two-car motor vehicle accident on State Route 52 near Sullivan Avenue in the Village of Liberty.

Upon arrival, officers found a 2011 Chevrolet Traverse had collided with a 2004 Honda Pilot. The 2011 Traverse contained two passengers, a 22 year old female and a 30 year old male both of Liberty, that were transported to Garnet Catskill for non-life threatening injuries.

The 2004 Honda Pilot operated by Saul Vicente Hernandez, 33 of Ferndale contained a female passenger, Susanna Lucas 37 also of Ferndale and a 12 year old male juvenile passenger.

The 12 year old male was transported to Garnet Catskill, where he was treated for non-life-threatening injuries. Susanna Lucas was transported to Garnet Catskill where she succumbed to her injuries and was pronounced deceased.

Preliminary investigation into the accident resulted in the arrest of Saul Vincente Hernandez on multiple charges. Hernandez was charged with Vehicular manslaughter in the 1st degree, aggravated DWI with a child passenger under 16, both felonies and multiple traffic infractions.

He was arraigned in the Town of Liberty Court and remanded to Sullivan County Jail in lieu of $250,000 cash bail, $750,000 bond or $2,200,000 partially secured bond.

The Village of Liberty Police Department was assisted in the investigation by the New York State Police, the Sullivan County Sheriff's Office and the Sullivan County District Attorney's Office. The investigation is ongoing.