3 congregants of Brooklyn church killed in Ulster County van accident

ELLENVILLE (WABC) -- Authorities have identified the victims of a crash that killed three congregants of a Brooklyn church in Ulster County Sunday morning.

Seven occupants of a van, all members of a Seventh Day Adventist church in the Flatlands section, had been attending a religious retreat at the Honors Haven Resort in Ellenville.

Preliminary investigation revealed that as the van attempted to enter Route 209 in the town of Wawarsing, the driver failed to stop at a stop sign and was struck in the passenger side by a tractor trailer.

The three victims, all passengers in the van, were identified as Miguel St Louis, 17, of Brooklyn, Ricadeau Anantua, 33, of Freeport, and Garry Edouard, 48, of Wyandanch.

The driver of the van, Guepson Gue, 61 of Brooklyn and an additional passenger, Mario Esteverne Sr., 59, of North Elmont were airlifted to Westchester Medical Center for treatment.

Both men remain in critical but stable condition.

The remaining two passangers of the van, Ariel Regis, 35, of Brooklyn and Mario Esteverne Jr., 16, of North Elmont, along with the driver of the tractor trailer, Tampie Adams, 37, of Randleman, NC were transported by ambulance to Ellenville Hospital for treatment of minor injuries.

At this time, authorities say it does not appear that drugs or alcohol played any role in the collision.

No criminal charges have been filed but the accident remains under investigation.

Prayers, cries and tears flowed in Flatlands Sunday night as worshipers at the Bethesda French Seventh Day Adventist Church mourned the loss of three fellow congregants.