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Incident location, Long Island
What Happened
A 50-year-old livery driver was killed in a crash on the Long Island Expressway in Queens on February 6, 2026, in an incident that may have been caused by improper snow removal practices by the city’s Sanitation Department. The driver lost control of his Toyota Camry near the exit to the Van Wyck Expressway at approximately 4:30 a.m. before his vehicle was struck by a tractor-trailer, according to the New York Daily News.
The driver suffered severe head and body trauma in the collision and was rushed by medics to New York-Presbyterian Hospital Queens, but could not be saved. The tractor-trailer driver was hospitalized with minor injuries and has not been charged in connection with the fatal crash. The incident occurred in a 50-mph zone on the eastbound Long Island Expressway.
Less than two hours before the deadly crash, the operator of a city Sanitation vehicle pushed snow and ice from the shoulder into the right lane of the LIE, creating hazardous road conditions that caused at least one other fender bender before the driver was killed, The News previously reported. The dangerous conditions were severe enough that a relative of the victim, who happened upon the scene of the fatal crash, asked police why there was so much snow in the right lane, according to a law enforcement source.
Following an investigation into the circumstances surrounding the crash, a Sanitation Department supervisor was put on 10-day unpaid leave, city government sources told the Daily News. The suspension came after NYPD investigators notified Department of Sanitation officials of the dangerous conditions following the driver’s death. Sources told the Daily News that the supervisor’s actions are currently under review by the NYPD as part of an active investigation.
“This is currently the subject of an active NYPD investigation, and I can’t provide comment while that is underway, but I will be sure to update,” Mayor Mamdani said of the crash Thursday. DSNY spokesman Joshua Goodman said in a statement, “There is an NYPD investigation underway, as there always is after a fatal vehicle collision. Following the conclusion of that investigation, personnel or disciplinary action will be taken if deemed necessary and appropriate.”
The victim’s family is devastated by the loss and believes the tragedy could have been prevented. “He was a good man. We’re very affected by this. He was a caring father, brother and uncle,” a niece of the victim said Wednesday. “This is Sanitation’s fault. … This could have been prevented.”
The incident has highlighted improper snow removal protocols that may have contributed to the fatal collision. While Sanitation workers typically move some snow and ice into traffic lanes on local streets in order to break it up and allow it to melt, those protocols are prohibited on highways, where drivers operate at much higher speeds. The practice of pushing snow into active traffic lanes creates significantly more dangerous conditions on high-speed roadways like the Long Island Expressway, where vehicles travel at posted speeds of 50 mph or higher.
Location & Road Context
The fatal crash occurred on the Long Island Expressway near the exit to the Van Wyck Expressway in Queens, one of the busiest highway interchanges in the New York metropolitan area. The LIE serves as a critical transportation corridor connecting Manhattan and the outer boroughs to Long Island, carrying hundreds of thousands of vehicles daily through this section in Queens.
According to Long Island Traffic database records, this stretch of I-495 has 136 recorded incidents, with recent incidents including multiple construction and roadwork activities. The area where the crash occurred experiences heavy traffic volumes during both morning and evening rush hours, making proper road maintenance and snow removal procedures critical for driver safety.
Investigation & Legal Proceedings
The NYPD is conducting an active investigation into the circumstances surrounding the fatal crash, with particular focus on whether improper snow removal practices contributed to the collision. As part of the investigation, police have notified Department of Sanitation officials about the dangerous road conditions that may have caused the crash.
The suspended Sanitation Department supervisor is currently on 10-day unpaid leave while the investigation continues. City officials have indicated that additional personnel or disciplinary action will be taken if deemed necessary and appropriate following the conclusion of the NYPD investigation. No criminal charges have been filed at this time against any parties involved in the incident.
Broader Impact
The Mamdani administration is facing increased scrutiny over its response to winter weather conditions, including snow removal operations, following the historic cold spell and winter storm that preceded this fatal crash. The incident has prompted the City Council to schedule an oversight hearing for Monday, where Sanitation officials and representatives from other agencies will be questioned about the city’s winter weather response protocols and procedures. This crash underscores the critical importance of following proper highway snow removal protocols, as the difference between local street procedures and highway operations can mean the difference between a minor traffic disruption and a fatal collision in high-speed zones.