Poughkeepsie — A Kingston man has been arraigned on a Dutchess County grand jury indictment charging him with vehicular manslaughter and driving while impaired by the combined influence of drugs, both felony offenses.
Prosecutors allege that on the late afternoon of Dec. 14, 2025, Richard Rider, 46, failed to maintain his lane while driving a Ford F-150 on Albany Post Road in the Town of Hyde Park. His pickup truck allegedly collided with a Honda Accord traveling in the opposite direction.
The Honda was driven by Alijah Johnson, 28, who was pronounced dead at the scene.
Authorities said a toxicology analysis of Rider’s blood detected several substances, including Clonazepam, Diazepam, Nordiazepam, **Delta‑9‑tetrahydrocannabinol (THC), and Methadone.
Rider was remanded to the Dutchess County Jail with bail set at $750,000 cash, $1.5 million bond, or $3 million partially secured bond.
