What Happened
Peter B. Bonenfant, 19, of Smithtown, Suffolk County, and Philip F. Jacobus, 72, of New York City, were both killed on Route 28 in the town of Olive, Ulster County, after a head-on collision, according to Daily Voice and News 12 Long Island. The crash was reported August 24, 2026.
Bonenfant was driving a 2024 Chevrolet westbound on Route 28 when, for a reason still undetermined, the vehicle crossed into the eastbound lane. It struck a 2021 Mercedes-Benz driven by Jacobus head-on, New York State Police said. Bonenfant was the only occupant of the Chevrolet.
Both drivers had to be extricated from their vehicles at the scene. First responders performed lifesaving measures on Bonenfant before transporting him to HealthAlliance Hospital in Kingston, where he later died from his injuries. Jacobus also received lifesaving treatment at the scene, was taken first to HealthAlliance Hospital, then transferred to MidHudson Regional Hospital in Poughkeepsie, where he later died.
The Ulster County Sheriff’s Office, Olive First Aid Ambulance, and Olive Fire Department assisted New York State Police at the scene, police said.
Jacobus had been CEO of DOTmed.com since 2019. The company is an online marketplace for new and used medical equipment. He joined DOTmed in 1999 and served as its president for more than 20 years before assuming the CEO role. He also conceived and published DOTmed Business News.
Jacobus held the presidency of Owen Kane Holdings, a company involved in mobile MRI scanner investments. His career in healthcare dated to 1977, when he traveled to China representing U.S. medical manufacturers. He later worked for the China Business Development Group, which specialized in exporting used medical, telecommunications, and aviation equipment to China. Owen Kane Holdings stated he conducted business in more than 30 countries, traveled more than 4 million miles, and visited 41 countries. After launching DOTmed, he stopped selling equipment to focus on establishing imaging centers and clinics. He was a graduate of the University of Pittsburgh. Additional biographical details about Bonenfant were not immediately available, Daily Voice reported.
Location & Road Context
Route 28 runs through the Catskill Mountains in Ulster County, connecting the Hudson Valley to the western Catskills through towns including Kingston, Woodstock, and Olive. The road is a two-lane highway through much of the Olive segment, with no physical barrier separating opposing traffic. Smithtown is on the North Shore of Suffolk County on Long Island.
Investigation & Legal Proceedings
New York State Police said as of August 25, 2026, investigators have not yet determined why Bonenfant’s Chevrolet crossed into the eastbound lane. No charges have been filed. The investigation remains open, according to News 12 Long Island. State Police are the lead agency.