DOVER PLAINS — The husband of a Putnam Hospital Center nurse died on his wedding night when the utility terrain vehicle on which the groom was a passenger struck a tree and overturned, pinning him underneath.

Nicholas Hoag, 25, of Wingdale was on the side-by-side vehicle as it drove on Ore Bed Road near Dover Furnace Road around 11:30 p.m. Saturday — only hours after his wedding reception at the nearby Inn at Dover Furnace.

According to state police, brother of the groom Christopher Hoag, 23, was driving at the time of the accident.

"It appears that alcohol was a factor in the accident," New York State Police Sgt. L. Daniele said. "Christopher (Hoag) was charged with driving while intoxicated. Further charges are pending."

"It's like a living nightmare," said Michael Sartori, 55, of Wingdale, the father of the bride.

Amber Sartori, 22, and Hoag were married at the Holy Trinity Roman Catholic Church in Sherman, Conn., earlier Saturday.

Hoag and Sartori, a registered nurse at Putnam Hospital Center in Carmel, had been together for five years, her father said.

"She's with us and she's not going anywhere until she's ready," he said. "She's surrounded by friends and family."

Sartori said Christopher Hoag owned the utility terrain vehicle.

Nicholas Hoag was transported to New Milford Hospital in Connecticut where he was pronounced dead as a result of blunt force trauma to his head, chest and abdomen, state police said.

Christopher Hoag was taken to St. Francis Hospital in Poughkeepsie for non-life-threatening injuries and then later sent to Westchester Medical Center in Valhalla.

A state police investigation revealed the brothers were driving aboard a Can-Am Commander 1000 UTV, a high-end, four-wheeler with a powerful V-twin engine, when it struck a tree and flipped over on the road.

An initial police report stated it was possible that the men had been driving along trails in the area, but police were unable to confirm where they were driving immediately before the accident, Daniele said.

No other passengers were on the vehicle at the time of the accident, she said.

A call placed to a number listed for the parents of Nicholas Hoag in Wingdale was unanswered Sunday. Funeral arrangements are being made at Hufcut Funeral Home in Dover Plains.

Story By Phillip Brunelle of TyingTheKnott Wedding News  -  See More Wedding News  -  Subscribe To Our News RSS Feed  -  To Comment Below Sign-Up Free Here  -  TyingTheKnott Is Free To Join & Use

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