QUEENS, NY — Two people were killed and 20 others were hurt Monday night in a violent crash on the Long Island Expressway in Queens, police said. The collision happened around 11:45 p.m. near the Greenpoint Avenue exit and left the highway closed in both directions for hours.
Investigators said a westbound coach bus hit one vehicle, which then pushed into another car ahead of it. The bus then crossed the center median, flipped into oncoming traffic and struck two more vehicles.
Who was killed in the Queens bus crash?
Police said the bus driver and a male passenger died in the impact. The passenger was identified as Moad Farid Mohd Obaidat, 42, of Manhattan.
Authorities have not released additional details about the driver or said what may have led to the chain reaction. The cause of the crash remained under investigation Tuesday.
How serious were the injuries at the scene?
Officials said 20 people were injured, including three who were listed in critical condition. The crash drew a large emergency response, with more than 70 fire and EMS workers sent to the scene.
Patients were taken to local hospitals after responders worked through the wreckage and checked the vehicles involved.
What happened to traffic on the Long Island Expressway?
The crash brought traffic to a standstill late Monday, with cars backed up for miles as drivers waited in place. Some motorists got out of their vehicles and used their phones while first responders assessed the damage.
Eventually, drivers were directed to reverse and leave through an on-ramp. The roadway reopened at 50th Street just after 9:15 a.m. Tuesday, though delays lingered after the closure.
What questions remain after the overnight wreck?
Police have not said whether speed, mechanical failure or driver error played a role. They also have not provided a timeline for when more information about the victims or the vehicles involved will be released.
For now, the crash stands as one of the most serious recent incidents on a major Queens highway, with investigators still piecing together how the bus ended up crossing into oncoming traffic.
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