Incident location, Long Island
What Happened
A Huntington man was killed Friday evening after his 2023 Ducati motorcycle slammed into the rear of a sedan on Round Swamp Road in Melville, and the motorcycle erupted in flames, Suffolk County Police said. According to Greater Long Island, the crash occurred at approximately 6:45 p.m. near the intersection of Hilltop Drive, claiming the life of Anees Khan, 38.
Khan was riding his 2023 Ducati southbound on Round Swamp Road when he attempted to pass a 2022 Kia Seltos that was also traveling southbound, police said. As he made the passing maneuver, Khan struck the right rear bumper of the Kia. The impact caused Khan to lose control of the motorcycle entirely. He was ejected from the bike and died at the scene. As reported by Greater Long Island, the Ducati caught fire following the crash, adding another layer of danger to the already chaotic accident scene.
The Kia Seltos was operated by Stephen Kutcher, 85, of Plainview. Riding as a passenger in the vehicle was Susan Kutcher, 85, also of Plainview. According to Suffolk County Police, neither Stephen nor Susan Kutcher was injured as a result of the collision. The couple’s vehicle sustained contact from the motorcycle along its right rear bumper, but police reported no injuries to the Kia’s occupants.
In the aftermath of the crash, both the 2023 Ducati motorcycle and the 2022 Kia Seltos were impounded by law enforcement for safety checks, a standard procedure in fatal collision investigations in New York State. The fire involving the motorcycle would also have required a response from emergency personnel at the scene, though no additional details about fire suppression efforts were provided in the initial police report.
Khan was pronounced dead at the scene on Round Swamp Road. No charges have been publicly announced at this time, and the investigation into the precise sequence of events — including speed, road conditions, and any other contributing factors — remains active. Suffolk County Police Second Squad detectives are asking anyone who witnessed the crash to come forward. Witnesses can reach detectives by calling 631-854-8252, as Greater Long Island noted in its initial coverage of the fatality.
Location & Road Context
Round Swamp Road is a north-south arterial road running through the town of Melville in the Town of Huntington, Suffolk County. The stretch near Hilltop Drive where this crash occurred is a mixed residential and commercial corridor that sees steady through-traffic during evening rush hours. At 6:45 p.m. on a Friday, the road would typically carry elevated volumes of commuters and weekend travelers moving between northern and southern portions of western Suffolk County.
Melville sits at a crossroads between several major Long Island roadways, including the Long Island Expressway (I-495) and Route 110 — making secondary roads like Round Swamp Road a common route for local drivers and motorcyclists navigating neighborhood streets. For more on traffic conditions and incidents in this area, see our full coverage of accidents on Long Island.
Investigation & Legal Proceedings
Suffolk County Police Second Squad detectives have taken over the investigation into the fatal crash. As of the initial report, both vehicles involved — the 2023 Ducati motorcycle and the 2022 Kia Seltos — have been impounded for safety inspections, a routine step that allows investigators to examine mechanical condition, brake systems, and any other factors that could have contributed to the collision.
No charges or arrests have been announced in connection with this crash. Detectives are actively seeking witnesses who may have observed the events on Round Swamp Road near Hilltop Drive on Friday evening. Anyone with information is encouraged to contact the Second Squad at 631-854-8252. The investigation is ongoing.
Broader Impact
Fatal motorcycle crashes involving passing maneuvers on two-lane arterial roads are a persistent concern across Long Island and New York State. When a motorcycle strikes a vehicle’s rear bumper during an attempted pass — as occurred here — the physics of ejection dramatically reduce a rider’s chances of survival even when protective gear is worn. The additional hazard of a post-crash fire, as seen with Khan’s Ducati on Round Swamp Road, also poses serious risks to first responders and bystanders at the scene. This crash follows a separate serious motorcycle crash on Main Street in Patchogue that left another rider critically injured, underscoring an alarming pattern of motorcycle fatalities and serious injuries on Long Island roads in recent weeks.