Location: I-495/Long Island Expressway, Long Island
What Happened
A minor crash on the I-495/Long Island Expressway in Queens County blocked the right lane on Saturday, June 13, 2026, according to incident records. Beyond the lane impact — one right lane blocked — specific details including the exact time of the collision, the precise mile marker or nearest cross-street, the direction of travel, the number of vehicles involved, and whether any occupants sustained injuries have not yet been confirmed by authorities. Police have not yet released the names or hometowns of any individuals involved, and details on what caused the crash remain limited.
What is confirmed is that the disruption was classified as minor in severity, and responding personnel worked to manage traffic around the blocked right lane. The LIE in Queens carries an exceptionally heavy volume of commuter, commercial, and recreational traffic on weekends, and even a minor lane blockage can trigger significant backups, particularly during peak hours. Whether this incident occurred during a high-traffic window of the day — morning, midday, or evening — police have not yet confirmed.
The broader traffic picture on the LIE that Saturday was already complicated before this crash. Our incident database recorded a separate crash on I-495 also logged on June 13, as well as a disabled vehicle, active bridge painting operations, and ongoing construction — all on the same corridor. Travelers navigating the LIE in Queens that day were dealing with a layered set of disruptions across multiple locations.
No charges, arrests, or citations have been reported in connection with this incident at this time. It is not known whether alcohol, distraction, or speed played any role in the collision. If the investigation develops further and police release additional information, this report will be updated accordingly.
Location & Road Context
The I-495 Long Island Expressway is the primary east-west artery connecting Queens and New York City to Nassau and Suffolk counties, stretching roughly 71 miles from the Queens–Midtown Tunnel to Riverhead. The Queens segment of the LIE is among the most heavily traveled stretches of highway in New York State, serving as a critical gateway for commuters, freight carriers, and travelers heading to and from Long Island. The Long Island Traffic database has recorded 1,084 incidents on this road, underscoring its status as one of the region’s most active corridors for crashes, disabled vehicles, and infrastructure work. Queens County accounts for 65 logged accidents in our local database.
The right lane on any expressway segment is particularly vulnerable to rear-end collisions and sideswipe incidents, as it is used by merging traffic entering from on-ramps and by drivers preparing to exit. A blocked right lane in Queens — where exit spacing can be tight and traffic volumes are high — can cause queues to extend back rapidly, increasing the risk of secondary crashes. Drivers are encouraged to check 511NY for real-time conditions before traveling the LIE through Queens.
Broader Impact
The June 13 collision is part of a clear pattern of recurring incidents on this stretch of highway. In the 48 hours surrounding this crash, our database logged a minor crash on I-495 on June 12, a second minor crash on I-495 also on June 12, and a disabled bus on I-495 the same day — all reflecting the sustained pressure this corridor absorbs daily. Most notably, just one day prior, a Hempstead man was sentenced for a May 2025 wrong-way crash on the LIE in Roslyn, a stark reminder that incidents on the LIE can carry serious and lasting legal consequences. Motorists traveling the I-495 through Queens and into Nassau County should remain alert, maintain safe following distances, and be prepared for lane restrictions, particularly on weekends when construction and maintenance work is often scheduled alongside normal traffic surges.