PEEKSKILL - A local bus driver was accused of leaving his disabled parents in a locked car for three hours yesterday afternoon, causing the death of his father, police said.
The man, Theodore Pressman, 48, of Beacon in Dutchess County, is expected to be arraigned today on a charge of reckless endangerment, but may face more serious charges in connection with his 85-year-old father's death, said Detective Sgt. Eric Johansen of the Peekskill police.
Police believe Pressman left his parents, Joseph and Joyce Pressman, 75, in a car parked in front of The Atrium Building at 8 John Walsh Blvd, Johansen said.
"He left them in there for at least three hours," Johansen said. "No keys, no windows rolled down. Both of the victims are elderly and somewhat disabled. Their medical conditions really prevented them from being able to get out of the car. And if they did get out, where were they going to go?"
Johansen declined to describe the couple's disabilities.
When Pressman came back to the car, his mother was outside of the car and disoriented and his father was unresponsive, Johansen said.
Pressman called the police, but his father died.
Joyce Pressman was taken to Hudson Valley Hospital Center, where she was treated for a heat-related illness and released, Johansen said.
Temperatures in Westchester County yesterday topped out at 84 degrees, with partly sunny skies for most of the afternoon.
"On an 85-degree Fahrenheit day, for example, the temperature inside a car with the windows opened slightly can reach 102 degrees within 10 minutes," according to the National Humane Society Web site. "After 30 minutes, the temperature will reach 120 degrees. ... On hot and humid days, the temperature in a car parked in direct sunlight can rise more than 30 degrees per minute and quickly become lethal."
An autopsy of Joseph Pressman is expected to be performed today.
Theodore Pressman was being held in the Westchester County jail in Valhalla, pending his arraignment.
Pressman is a bus driver in Peekskill.
Police did not release the name of the bus company.
"Once we get our investigation and evidence together," Johansen said, "we expect there will be additional charges related to Mr. Pressman's death."
Police in Beacon said last night that they were being informed of the matter and would have no information until today.

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