Members of a New York family are mourning the loss of their patriarch after he was killed by an alleged drunk driver on November 11. Per the Highland Current, Joe Stubblefield, who is survived by seven children, was riding in a car with his 7-year-old son at the time of the fatal collision.
The Putnam County Sheriff’s Office in a statement said 56-year-old Marcos Martinez was driving northbound on Route 9 near Stone Ridge Road when his car crossed over the double yellow line and struck Stubblefield’s car. The 52-year-old victim was driving southbound at the time.
Stubblefield was pronounced dead at the scene while his 7-year-old was taken to the hospital to be treated for non-life-threatening injuries. Authorities said Martinez was arrested and charged with vehicular manslaughter in the 2nd degree (a class D Felony), misdemeanor driving while intoxicated, and failure to use designated Lane, which is a traffic infraction.
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Authorities also said the suspect “was arraigned in the Town of Philipstown Court and was remanded to the Putnam County Correctional Facility on $250,000 cash bail or $500,000 bond.”
A GoFundMe that has been set up to help raise funds for Stubblefield’s family says the deceased victim was “the best Son, Father, Brother, Cousin, Uncle, Nephew, Friend that anyone could ever ask for.”
“Joe was loved by many and will be missed so much! He was such a loving father to 7 sons who are all heartbroken by this unimaginable loss,” the fundraiser adds. “On November 11, 2023 Joe and his 7 year old son were visiting with his other 3 sons. Everyone said their, ‘I love yous’ and ‘goodbyes’ and gave hugs not knowing that this would be the last. About 4 minutes after leaving the house Joe and his 7 year old son were hit by a drunk driver.”
A relative who spoke with the Highland Current said Stubblefield was killed just a day after he watched his 17-year-old son and his high school team win the Section I, Class D football title. The team will dedicate a November 17 regional game to him.
