Incident location, Long Island
What Happened
Two elderly people died and several others were injured in a devastating six-vehicle crash on the Southern State Parkway near Exit 17S in Hempstead on Sunday night, March 15, 2026, according to New York State Police. The fatal collision occurred at approximately 10:00 p.m. and involved ten people across both the westbound and eastbound lanes of the highway.
According to investigators, the chain-reaction crash began when a 2020 Cadillac Escalade traveling westbound sideswiped a gray BMW in the left lane. The impact caused the Escalade driver to lose control of the vehicle, and the SUV crossed the center median into the eastbound lanes of the Southern State Parkway. Police reported that once in the oncoming traffic lanes, the out-of-control Escalade struck several eastbound vehicles.
The most devastating collision occurred when the wayward Escalade crashed head-on with a 2016 Toyota Highlander that was traveling eastbound. Donald Maxwell, 82, and Liscent B. Maxwell, 88, who were occupants of the Toyota Highlander, were pronounced dead at the scene due to injuries sustained in the crash, authorities confirmed. The couple’s deaths marked the most tragic outcome of what became a complex multi-vehicle accident scene.
Emergency responders arrived to find multiple damaged vehicles scattered across both directions of the parkway. First responders worked quickly to assess the injured victims and arrange medical transport for several drivers and passengers involved in the six-vehicle pileup. Officials reported that several people from the remaining vehicles were transported to local hospitals for treatment of their injuries.
According to authorities, at least one of the injured victims was listed in critical condition following the crash. The severity and extent of injuries to the other hospitalized victims were not immediately disclosed by police. The accident scene required extensive emergency response efforts, with multiple ambulances and rescue units working to extract victims and provide medical care.
The massive crash caused significant disruption along the Southern State Parkway overnight while emergency crews worked to clear the damaged vehicles and document the extensive crash scene. Authorities worked for several hours before they were able to reopen the affected lanes early Monday morning, March 16. The prolonged closure impacted traffic flow during the overnight hours as investigators processed the complex accident scene involving six vehicles spread across both directions of the busy parkway.
Officials continue to review evidence and gather information about the specific circumstances that led up to the fatal crash. The investigation into what caused the initial sideswipe collision between the Cadillac Escalade and the gray BMW in the westbound lanes remains ongoing, according to state police.
Location & Road Context
The Southern State Parkway near Exit 17S in Hempstead represents one of Long Island’s major east-west transportation corridors, carrying thousands of vehicles daily through Nassau County. Exit 17S provides access to Peninsula Boulevard and serves the densely populated Hempstead area, making this stretch of parkway particularly busy during both peak and off-peak hours.
This section of the Southern State Parkway has recorded 123 incidents in traffic databases, highlighting the challenging nature of this roadway. Recent incidents in the area include previous fatal crashes and ongoing maintenance work, with reports of overnight roadwork and crack sealing operations. Just days after this fatal crash, another incident occurred when a woman was arraigned for a separate deadly crash on the Southern State Parkway, underscoring ongoing safety concerns along this corridor.
Investigation & Legal Proceedings
New York State Police continue their investigation into the sequence of events that led to the fatal six-vehicle crash. Investigators are working to determine what caused the initial contact between the 2020 Cadillac Escalade and the gray BMW that triggered the deadly chain reaction. The investigation will likely examine factors such as speed, road conditions, visibility, and potential driver impairment or distraction.
Authorities have not yet announced whether any charges will be filed in connection with the crash. The complex nature of the multi-vehicle accident, involving vehicles in both directions of travel, will require extensive analysis of physical evidence, witness statements, and vehicle data to determine liability and potential criminal culpability.
Broader Impact
Under New York law, families of Donald and Liscent Maxwell have two years from the date of death to file a wrongful death lawsuit, as the statute of limitations for such cases provides this timeframe for legal action. The head-on nature of the collision between the out-of-control Escalade and the Maxwells’ Toyota Highlander may present clear liability issues for any potential civil litigation, particularly given that the Escalade had crossed into oncoming traffic after losing control following the initial sideswipe collision.