CARMEL – A two-car head-on crash on Route 9 just south of the intersection with Indian Brook Road in Philipstown Tuesday morning injured the drivers of the two vehicles involved and police said it was apparently caused by the driver of one of the vehicles being distracted when his dog vomiting and jumping around in the car.

The Putnam County Sheriff’s Office said Robert White, 56, of Eastport in Suffolk County was driving a 2001 Toyota sedan southbound on Route 9 around 8:15 a.m. when his female pit bull terrier got sick. According to a statement White made after the crash, he became distracted when the dog threw up and jumped around. As he turned his attention to the animal, his car reportedly crossed over a double yellow line into the northbound lane of the highway.

White’s car slammed head-on into a northbound Honda Accord sedan being driven by Sameer Jain, 35, of Ossining. The impact demolished both cars spreading debris over 500 feet of roadway and entrapped White in his car.

A passing motorist called 911 to report the crash and sheriff’s deputies and investigators responded to the scene. Philipstown and Garrison Volunteer Ambulance Corps responded along with a TransCare Paramedic. Firefighters from the Garrison Volunteer Fire Department used the Jaws of Life to extricate White from his car.

White complainted of abdominal pain after being freed from his vehicle. He was airlifted to Westchester Medical Center in Valhalla.

Jain displayed what police said appeared to be minor injuries and was taken by ambulance to Hudson Valley Hospital in Cortlandt.

Both drivers were reportedly wearing seatbelts and airports deployed in both cars.

White’s dog was reportedly not injured and was turned over temporarily to the Philipstown Animal Control officer until an acquaintance of White recovered it a few hours later.

No summonses were issued at the scene and the crash remains under investigation.