QUEENS, NY — Two people died and dozens more were hurt late Monday when a coach bus overturned on the Long Island Expressway and crossed into oncoming traffic in Queens. The wreck triggered a major backup and kept the highway closed for hours while crews cleared debris and investigators examined the scene.
The crash happened shortly before midnight near the Greenpoint Avenue exit in Maspeth. Officials said the bus was carrying members of an airport shuttle crew tied to Royal Jordanian Flight 8261, which had landed at JFK Airport earlier in the evening.
What happened on the Long Island Expressway near Greenpoint Avenue?
According to officials, the westbound bus first hit two vehicles, then struck the center divider and rolled over. After overturning, it entered the eastbound lanes, where it collided with two more vehicles.
The sequence of impacts left wreckage scattered across both directions of the expressway and forced emergency responders to shut down lanes while they worked the scene.
Who was on the bus and who was hurt?
The chartered bus was headed to a hotel and carried 15 crew members, including two Thai flight attendants. About two dozen passengers from the bus were taken to Bellevue Hospital, NewYork-Presbyterian Queens and Elmhurst Hospital Center for evaluation and treatment.
The driver and one passenger died. Police identified the passenger as Moad Farid Mohd Obaidat, 42, of New York City. The driver of one eastbound vehicle was taken to the hospital in critical condition, while three other drivers were reported to be stable.
What is known about the driver and the bus company?
Investigators have not yet determined why the crash happened. The driver had a valid license, but sources said he also had seven prior arrests and seven moving violations, including speeding, disobeying a traffic control device and dangerous driving.
Those same sources said he was a registered level 2 sex offender. ABC7 said it reached out to his employer but had not received a response. Royal Jordanian Airlines said it was still gathering details and was coordinating with authorities.
What happens next for the investigation and traffic flow?
The National Transportation Safety Board is working with the NYPD as the crash investigation continues. Officials have not released a final determination on what caused the bus to overturn and move into the opposite lanes.
All lanes of the Long Island Expressway have since reopened after the roadway was cleared. The crash nonetheless caused hours of heavy delays in one of Queens’ busiest traffic corridors.
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