Arturo Martinez Jimenez, a beloved resident of Brewster, New York, has died on January 5, 2026, following a fatal incident that has sent shock and sorrow through his community and beyond. The tragedy unfolded in the darkness of the early morning hours, around 2 a.m., on a stretch of Interstate 684 that cuts through the quiet towns of Westchester and Putnam counties.
Arturo, who was 54 years old, was walking in the southbound direction when the unthinkable happened. According to New York State Police reports, he was in the left lane—the passing lane—when a vehicle traveling southbound struck him. The impact was devastating, claiming his life at the scene despite the rapid arrival of emergency responders.
The precise location was near mile marker 24.3 on the southbound side, just north of Exit 8 at Hardscrabble Road in North Salem. This section of I-684 runs through a relatively rural area, bordered by wooded stretches and rolling hills, where visibility can be limited at night and the speeds are consistently high. Walking along an interstate like this is inherently perilous, with no shoulder or pedestrian path to offer safety, and incidents of this nature often leave investigators piecing together the moments leading up to the collision.
Troopers from the Somers barracks responded quickly to the scene, coordinating with emergency crews who worked under difficult conditions to manage the aftermath. Lanes were temporarily closed to allow for a thorough examination of the site and to ensure public safety while evidence was collected. The sudden disruption on a major commuter route underscored the gravity of what had occurred, turning a routine stretch of highway into the site of profound loss.
As of now, the investigation remains ongoing, with authorities continuing to look into the circumstances surrounding why Arturo was on the highway that night and the sequence of events involving the vehicle that struck him. State Police have released his identity but have shared limited additional details, a common practice in the early stages of such probes to maintain accuracy and respect for those involved.
At just 54, Arturo’s life was cut far too short in an instant that no one could have foreseen. Though personal tributes and fuller accounts of his story may emerge in the coming days, the news of his passing has already brought deep sadness to Brewster and the surrounding communities. Friends, neighbors, and loved ones are left grappling with the abrupt void, remembering a man whose presence touched their lives in ways that will linger even amid this heartbreaking tragedy.