POUGHKEEPSIE, N.Y. — A Kingston man was sentenced to upwards of 19 years in state prison in Dutchess County Court Tuesday in connection with 2025 a fatal head-on drugged driving crash on Albany Post Road in Hyde Park that left a Hyde Park man dead.
Dutchess County Court Judge Karen Eldeman-Reyes handed down the maximum sentences of 7.5 to 15 years in state prison to Richard C. Rider for first-degree vehicular manslaughter and 1 1⁄3 to 4 years in state prison for driving while ability impaired by the combined influence of drugs.
Rider previously pled guilty to the felony vehicular manslaughter and driving while ability impaired by the combined influence of drugs before Edelman-Reyes on Tuesday, Aug. 4.
Authorities said Rider was driving a white Ford F-150 pickup truck on Albany Post Road near Huyler Drive on Dec. 14, 2025, at around 4:20 p.m., under the combined influence of drugs when he crossed into the southbound lane and struck a Honda Accord head-on, causing the death of Alijah M. Johnson, 28, of Hyde Park, who was driving the sedan.
Authorities said a crash reconstruction determined that Rider failed to maintain his lane of travel and took no evasive action in the five seconds leading up to the collision. They added that a toxicological analysis of Rider’s blood revealed the presence of multiple impairing substances, including Clonazepam, Diazepam, Nordiazepam, Delta-9-tetrahydrocannabinol (THC), and Methadone.
At the time of Rider’s arrest on Thursday, Jan. 29, 2026, at his home by the Hyde Park Police Department, authorities said he had a prior conviction for felony driving while intoxicated. Authorities added that the arrest marked the sixth time Rider has been arrested for driving under the influence of alcohol or drugs, and despite five prior arrests, he maintained a valid driver’s license before the fatal crash.
“No sentence can undo the devastating loss of Alijah Johnson’s life or repair the immeasurable harm suffered by his loved ones,” Dutchess County District Attorney Anthony Parisi said. “This case is a tragic reminder of the consequences of choosing to operate a vehicle while impaired. Our prosecutors fought diligently to secure the strongest sentence available under New York State law. We remain committed to holding individuals accountable when their reckless decisions take innocent lives.”
The case was prosecuted by Dutchess County Assistant District Attorney Chelsea Paglia with assistance from Deputy Chief Assistant District Attorney Jennifer Fluck.