FRESH MEADOWS, QUEENS – A tragic accident claimed the life of a pedestrian following a collision with a flatbed truck on the Long Island Expressway early Wednesday morning. The incident occurred around 5:30 AM while the victim was attending to a disabled vehicle in the westbound lanes of the expressway.
Authorities were alerted to the accident shortly after it took place. Emergency responders rushed to the scene to provide medical assistance, but despite their efforts, the victim was pronounced dead at the location. The identity of the deceased has not been released pending notification of family members.
The driver of the flatbed truck remained at the scene and is reportedly cooperating with law enforcement officials as they conduct their investigation into the circumstances surrounding the collision. Police have not yet determined the specific factors that contributed to the incident.
This accident underscores a significant public safety concern associated with large vehicles on roadways. Data from the National Safety Council reveals that truck-related fatalities have seen a disturbing increase over the past decade. In 2022 alone, 5,837 large trucks were involved in fatal crashes, marking a 1.8% rise from the previous year and a staggering 49% increase since 2012. Vulnerable road users, such as pedestrians, are particularly at risk in encounters with such large vehicles.
