Putnam County Sheriff Kevin J. McConville reports the investigation into a fatal motor
vehicle accident in the Town of Southeast.
On January 25, 2024, at approximately 6 pm Deputies were dispatched to a motor
vehicle accident in the area of 477 Tonetta Lake Rd involving two vehicles. The first arriving
Deputy was advised that one of the occupants of the vehicles was in need of immediate medical
assistance and he proceeded to remove her from the vehicle and began CPR and the use of an
AED until relieved by Brewster EMS. The driver, identified as Marie Desimone, 64 years of age
of Southeast, was then transported to Putnam Hospital Center where she was pronounced
dead. The driver of the second vehicle was identified as Alexis Gialanella, 36 years old and
the children were transported to PHC for evaluation of minor injuries. Through investigation,
with the assistance of the New York State Police Collision Reconstruction Unit, it appears that
the vehicle operated by Ms. Desimone was westbound when for unknown reasons it crossed
into the eastbound lanes and struck the vehicle being operated by Ms. Gialanella head on. The
roadway remained closed until approximately 9pm for the investigation and Deputies were
assisted at the scene by the Brewster Fire Department and Medics.