POUGHKEEPSIE – A 47-year-old man pled guilty in Dutchess County Court on Tuesday to vehicular manslaughter and driving while ability impaired by drugs in connection with a motor vehicle crash in the Town of Hyde Park.
As part of the plea agreement, Richard Rider was promised a sentence of six to 12 years in state prison for causing the death of Alijah Johnson.
The charges stem from a fatal crash on December 14, 2025, at about 4:20 p.m. on Albany Post Road near Huyler Drive in Hyde Park. An investigation determined that Rider was driving a Ford F-150 while impaired by drugs, crossed into the southbound lane of traffic and struck a Honda Accord head-on causing the death of Johnson.
Toxicology analysis of Rider’s blood revealed the presence of several impairing substances including Clonazepam, Diazepam, Nordiazepam, THC, and Methadone.
“This guilty plea holds Richard Rider accountable for the devastating consequences of choosing to get behind the wheel while impaired by drugs,” said District Attorney Anthony Parisi. “One reckless decision claimed the life of Alijah Johnson and forever changed the lives of his loved ones.”
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