Incident location, Long Island
What Happened
A car crash on the Southern State Parkway spiraled into a near-fatal road rage stabbing in Franklin Square early Sunday morning, July 6, 2025, leaving a 20-year-old man hospitalized with multiple stab wounds, according to Nassau County police. The altercation unfolded in a matter of minutes, beginning on the parkway and culminating on a residential street in the quiet Nassau County neighborhood — the entire confrontation captured on surveillance video obtained exclusively by News 12 Long Island.
Police identified the alleged attacker as Rashawn Marquez, 34. Following the initial collision on the Southern State Parkway, Marquez pursued the victim — a 20-year-old male — off the roadway and into the surrounding neighborhood. The two vehicles came to a confrontation at the intersection of Rosegold Street and Sherwood Avenue in Franklin Square. According to News 12 Long Island, surveillance footage shows the victim slamming on his brakes at that intersection before Marquez exited his vehicle to confront him. The video then shows the victim being chased from the scene by Marquez, who was armed with what Nassau County police described as an unknown sharp object.
The victim sustained multiple stab wounds across his body during the encounter. Despite the severity of his injuries, the 20-year-old managed to get back into his vehicle and drive approximately one mile from the scene to his home on Franklin Street, where he called police. He was subsequently transported to a hospital and is listed in stable condition, officials confirmed. Nassau County police emphasized that there is no indication the two men had any prior relationship or knew each other before the crash occurred.
Marquez, meanwhile, also fled the scene by vehicle following the stabbing. Detectives located and arrested him in the nearby community of West Hempstead. The Nassau County Police Department charged Marquez with second-degree attempted murder and first-degree assault, as well as third-degree and fourth-degree criminal possession of a weapon — reflecting both the violence of the alleged attack and the nature of the instrument used. Marquez appeared before a court and entered a not guilty plea. He is currently being held on $750,000 cash bail.
Court documents add a layer of contested narrative to the case. According to those records, as reported by News 12 Long Island, Marquez claims the victim struck him with a bat during the confrontation and that he acted in self-defense. Nassau County prosecutors and police have not publicly indicated that this claim has been corroborated. The investigation remains active.
Franklin Square residents were rattled by the violence that spilled into their neighborhood. Local resident Michael Ryan spoke to reporters about the incident, saying, “You hate hearing things about this. We just hope the victim is OK. We were glad the cops caught the perpetrator, and we hope justice is served.” The altercation unfolded in what police and neighbors alike described as a quiet Nassau County neighborhood, making the severity of the incident all the more alarming to those who live nearby.
Location & Road Context
The incident originated on the Southern State Parkway, one of Long Island’s most heavily trafficked arterial routes running east-west through Nassau and Suffolk Counties. The parkway routinely carries high volumes of commuter and recreational traffic, and its exits feed into densely populated residential communities throughout Nassau County — including Franklin Square, where the pursuit ultimately ended. The final confrontation took place at the intersection of Rosegold Street and Sherwood Avenue, just blocks from the parkway’s surrounding neighborhoods. The victim then drove roughly one mile south to Franklin Street before stopping. Franklin Square has seen prior serious road incidents; a fiery crash took down a utility pole in the community as recently as January 2026.
Investigation & Legal Proceedings
Nassau County police arrested Rashawn Marquez, 34, in West Hempstead following the Sunday morning attack. He faces a serious slate of charges: second-degree attempted murder, first-degree assault, third-degree criminal possession of a weapon, and fourth-degree criminal possession of a weapon. According to News 12 Long Island, Marquez entered a not guilty plea at his arraignment and is being held on $750,000 cash bail — a figure reflecting the violent nature and near-fatal outcome of the alleged crime. Court documents indicate Marquez has asserted a self-defense claim, alleging the victim attacked him with a bat. No official confirmation of that account has been provided by law enforcement. Detectives continue to investigate the circumstances surrounding the initial collision on the Southern State Parkway and the subsequent road rage confrontation.
Broader Impact
Under New York Penal Law, a charge of second-degree attempted murder carries a maximum sentence of 25 years in state prison, underscoring how quickly a roadway dispute — even one that begins with a minor collision — can escalate into criminal conduct with life-altering consequences for all parties involved. The $750,000 cash bail set in this case reflects the court’s assessment of both flight risk and the severity of the alleged violence. Motorists involved in accidents on high-traffic corridors like the Southern State Parkway are strongly urged by law enforcement to remain calm, stay at the scene safely, and contact 911 rather than pursuing other drivers.