Kingston High School Students Killed in Tragic Accident Identified

Police have identified the two Kingston High School students who were tragically killed in an accident Monday involving three passenger cars and a tractor-trailer on Route 28 at the intersection of Route 212 in Shandaken, New York.

Tragic Accident in Ulster County, NY

According to the New York State Police (NYSP), they are currently investigating the fatal car crash we told you about earlier this week. The accident happened on Monday, January 8, 2024, at approximately 8:56 a.m. and according to police, it involved a Volvo tractor trailer, that was driven by 54-year-old Ramon LunaLuna from Bronx, NY. LunaLuna was traveling east on Rt 28 when he observed a Honda stopped on the roadway waiting to turn north onto Route 212. The tractor-trailer stuck the Honda in the rear and then crossed over the double yellow line into the westbound lane striking a 2013 Hyundai Santa Fe head on according to the NYSP. Police also said that a fourth vehicle, a 2018 Audi SQ5 traveling west was also involved and struck the tractor-trailer after it hit the Hyundai.

Kingston Students Killed in Crash Identified

Police have announced that all three occupants of the Hyundai were juniors at Kingston High School. 16-year-old Dillon Gokey, from Kingston, and 17-year-old Jack Noble, from Port Ewen were tragically killed in the accident. 17-year-old Joseph Sepesi, also from Port Ewen was seriously injured in the crash and was flown to Westchester Medical Center to receive treatment. The tractor-trailer driver LunaLuna was transported to Kingston Hospital for evaluation and the driver of the Audi was not injured.

SEE ALSO: Kingston, New York Police Detective Passes Away

Kingston Community Remembers Students

The two high school juniors who were killed in the accident were honor roll students and both participated in Kingston High School athletic programs. Dillon Gokey was a varsity pitcher on the school's baseball team and Jack Noble played lacrosse and football for the Kingston Tigers. The Kingston Tigers Lacrosse Facebook page posted a message on Tuesday saying,

"Yesterday we lost one of our most loved varsity players. Jack was always determined and motivated to play lacrosse. He was at every practice, workout and game as well as always supporting his team in every way he could. He was never hubristic and always willing to play every position. Rest easy, you will be greatly missed. Forever a tiger and forever in our hearts❤️"

The outpouring of support for the families of the teens lost in the accident continued from the Kingston community including Kingston Mayor Steve Noble (no relation) who said "thoughts are with the families and friends of those involved." Former Ulster County Executive and current U.S. Rep. Pat Ryan called the accident an "absolute tragedy" and said, "Our hearts are with the family and friends of the two young victims and the entire Kingston community."