ELLENVILLE – Sunday night brought the tragic end of a man's life, and the end of another man's career.

Wurtsboro resident Casey W. Lazaroff, 28, was driving his 2001 Dodge pickup truck on Sunday evening at about 7 p.m., when he accidentally struck and killed Napanoch resident Robert Ryan, 48, who had been walking on the paved part of the road, according to police. The State Police at Ellenville determined that Lazaroff was not at fault in the incident.

Ryan was a lifelong resident of Napanoch, and part of a large family. He is survived by his parents, Roger and Janice Ryan, his brothers Michael, Billy, and Todd Ryan, his sister Terry Forgett, and his two sons, Zachary and Cory, all of Napanoch.

However, the incident took a bizarre turn when Accord-resident Dr. Michael Sheran, the Ulster County Medical Examiner, arrived on the scene. After Ryan had been declared dead by Dr. Sheran, it was discovered by the state troopers that Sheran had driven to the scene while intoxicated, and was arrested and given an appearance ticket in Town of Wawarsing Justice Court.

The next day, Ulster County Executive Mike Hein called for Sheran's resignation.

"The county executive said that it's unacceptable that these types of [drunk driving] incidents have had a tragic impact around the country, and Ulster County," said spokesperson with the executive's office Vin Martello.

While reports on Tuesday conflicted about whether or not the medical examiner had complied with Hein's request, Martello confirmed that he had indeed resigned.

"It is with great sorrow that I must formally resign as the Ulster County Medical Examiner," reads Sheran's letter of resignation, addressed to County Executive Hein. "Thank you for giving me the opportunity to serve Ulster County. Please let this letter terminate my appointment effective immediately." The letter was dated Monday, November 10.

For now, the county has appointed an interim medical examiner, Dr. Douglas Heller, who practices medicine in Kingston. The county also has a deputy medical examiner in Dr. James Grovenburg. It is unclear at this time whether Sheran had attempted to contact Grovenburg to handle the case or not prior to his arriving at the scene.

Sheran was appointed to the post of medical examiner by the Ulster County Legislature in 2006. He currently has a medical practice on Broadway in Kingston.