QUEENS, NY — Two people were killed and 20 others were hurt in a multi-vehicle crash on the Long Island Expressway late Monday night after a coach bus collided with another vehicle near exit 16 in Queens. The crash happened around 11:45 p.m. and quickly drew a federal investigation from the National Transportation Safety Board.
Police said the sequence began when a westbound coach bus struck a vehicle near Greenpoint Avenue and Hunters Point Avenue, setting off a chain reaction that involved four additional vehicles.
What happened near exit 16 on the Long Island Expressway?
According to New York police, the first impact sent the bus over the median and into eastbound lanes, where it struck a fourth and fifth vehicle. The collision left the expressway blocked in both directions near 50th Street while crews worked the scene.
Authorities said the crash involved a total of six vehicles. The investigation remains ongoing.
Who was killed or injured in the crash?
Police said the bus driver and one passenger were pronounced dead at the scene. Their names have not been released while authorities notify family members.
One driver from another vehicle was taken to a hospital in critical condition. Three other drivers were reported in stable condition, and all other coach bus passengers were transported to local hospitals with stable injuries.
How large was the emergency response?
The New York Fire Department said about 79 fire and emergency personnel responded to the crash, according to reporting cited by the New York Times. The scale of the response reflected the number of vehicles involved and the severity of the injuries.
Officials did not immediately provide a cause for the initial collision.
What is the status of the highway and investigation now?
By Tuesday afternoon, all lanes on the eastbound and westbound Long Island Expressway had reopened. Police said the roadway closure extended across both directions after the crash, but traffic restrictions were later lifted.
The NTSB’s involvement means investigators will review how the collision unfolded and whether mechanical, driver, or roadway factors played a role.
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