PATTERSON, N.Y. — A chef who ran a New Fairfield-based catering business was killed while walking in a roadway in Patterson, N.Y.. Tuesday, according to police.
Michael Frick, 35, of New Fairfield, was pronounced dead at the scene, Putnam County Sheriff’s Office spokesperson Sgt. Michael DiVeglio said Thursday. The crash happened at about 8:10 p.m. at Route 22 and Route 164, DiVeglio said. Police were trying to determine why Frick reportedly was walking in the roadway at night, he said.
The driver stayed at the scene and was cooperating with police in an ongoing investigation involving the New York State Police Collision Reconstruction Unit, DiVeglio said.
“It’s very tragic,” he said. “It’s my understanding he was in a serious accident about a month ago.”
An online fundraising effort organized by Frick’s friend, Seana Hart, had sought donations after the earlier crash at an unspecified location in New York state. The narrative said Frick was hurt in a crash on Aug. 30 and was being treated at Albany Medical Center for a collapsed lung, broken ribs and a fractured sternum. Information about that earlier crash could not be obtained immediately Thursday.
“While everyone is incredibly grateful Michael is still here, these injuries have left him facing a long and painful recovery,” the earlier fundraising narrative said.
Frick ran Salt X Thyme, a catering business focused on “scratch-made, thoughtfully crafted meals,” according to a description on the business’ website.
Frick launched the business after years of working in restaurants, but because the catering job was “highly physical,” he was unable to work while healing from the August crash, according to the fundraiser narrative. Donations were meant to help with uncovered medical expenses, living costs and follow-up care, it said.
“Michael has given so much to this community through his talent, hard work, and generosity,” the narrative said.
Hart would not comment Thursday beyond information on the earlier fundraiser page.
Dining and Cooking