State Police investigate fatal one car crash that claimed the life of a Monroe woman

Monroe, New York – New York State Police are investigating a fatal one-car collision that occurred early Sunday morning in the Town of Monroe, where a 56-year-old woman was found dead after the vehicle she was traveling in left the roadway and caught fire.

The crash happened on September 6, 2026, at approximately 2:26 a.m. Troopers assigned to the State Police Monroe barracks came across a vehicle fire on Cedar Cliff Road while responding to the area.

The Town of Monroe Fire Department was called to the scene and worked to extinguish the flames. Once the fire was brought under control, emergency personnel found the sole occupant of the vehicle inside.

The woman was identified as Jodi Lester, 56, of Monroe. She was extricated from the vehicle and pronounced deceased at the scene.

According to the preliminary investigation, Lester was traveling in a 2020 Hyundai when the vehicle left the roadway for a reason that has not yet been determined. Investigators said damage caused to the vehicle resulted in a fire.

Authorities have not released additional details about what caused the vehicle to leave the road. The investigation remains active as state police work to establish the circumstances leading up to the crash.

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Several agencies assisted state police during the response and investigation. Those agencies included the Town of Monroe Fire Department, Town of Monroe Police Department, Orange County Fire Investigators and Town of Monroe EMS.

Specialized units from the New York State Police also responded. The Troop F Forensic Investigation Unit and Troop F Collision Reconstruction Unit are assisting with the investigation as officials examine the crash scene and the vehicle.

Because the collision occurred during the early morning hours, investigators are also asking anyone who may have been in the area at the time to come forward. Witness information could help authorities determine what happened in the moments before the Hyundai left the roadway.

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Anyone who witnessed the crash or has information about the incident is asked to contact the New York State Police Bureau of Criminal Investigation in Monroe at (845) 344-5300.

The investigation is continuing, and officials have not indicated that any other vehicles were involved. Lester was the only person inside the Hyundai when it left the roadway and caught fire.