Man charged with drug trafficking in connection with fatal car crash

EAST FISHKILL – An East Fishkill man is facing drug charges after police say he sold drugs to a person who then crashed his car into a tree on Augusta Drive in East Fishkill on Sept. 12. The driver, whose name has not been released, was also from East Fishkill and died in the accident.

The Dutchess County Drug Task Force aOfficers launched an investigation after East Fishkill police requested assistance in investigating the fatal car crash. During the accident, police discovered that the deceased driver appeared to be using drugs. Drug Task Force agents responded, tested the substance and determined it was a mixture of cocaine and fentanyl.

Investigators identified 32-year-old Joseph Kundrat as the suspect, who sold the narcotics to the driver before the accident. Kundrat turned himself in to East Fishkill Town Police on September 30 and was arrested by task force agents.

Kundrat was charged with criminal sale of a controlled substance, arraigned and released on an appearance ticket for a future court date.

The investigation into the accident is ongoing and further charges could be brought against Kundrat.

Drug Task Force Coordinator, Detective Sergeant Adam Harris, said, “The Drug Task Force wants the community to be aware that cocaine and other drugs are often tainted or mixed with fentanyl and in recent years in Dutchess County were the cause of numerous overdose deaths.” .”

If anyone has information about this case or anyone else selling drugs in Dutchess County, please contact Dutchess County Drug Task Force Confidential tip hotline at 845-463-6040 or by email [email protected].