Two people were killed and 20 others were injured after a coach bus was involved in a multi-vehicle crash on the Long Island Expressway in Queens, New York, late Monday night, according to officials.
The collision happened at about 11:45 p.m. near exit 16, around Greenpoint Avenue and Hunters Point Avenue. Authorities said a westbound coach bus struck another vehicle, setting off a chain reaction involving several other vehicles.
New York police said the initial crash caused the bus to flip over the median and into oncoming eastbound traffic. The bus then collided with additional vehicles, creating a major emergency response on one of the city’s busiest roadways.
The bus driver, described by police as a 35-year-old man, and one passenger were pronounced dead at the scene. Their names were not immediately released pending notification of their families.
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Officials said 20 other people were injured. One driver from another vehicle was taken to a hospital in critical condition, while three other drivers involved in the crash were reported to be in stable condition. Other passengers on the coach bus were transported to nearby hospitals and were also described as being in stable condition.
The National Transportation Safety Board has opened a federal investigation into the crash. The NTSB typically investigates serious transportation incidents involving commercial vehicles, especially when there are fatalities, multiple injuries or questions about vehicle operations, roadway conditions or safety systems.
New York fire and emergency personnel responded to the scene, with dozens of first responders assisting victims, securing the area and helping clear the wreckage. The crash shut down lanes in both directions of the Long Island Expressway near 50th Street, creating major overnight and morning travel disruptions. Authorities later said all lanes had reopened by Tuesday afternoon.
The cause of the crash remains under investigation. Officials have not yet said whether speed, driver error, mechanical problems, road conditions or any other factor contributed to the collision.
Coach bus crashes can be especially serious because of the size and weight of the vehicle, the number of passengers onboard and the risk of secondary collisions when a bus crosses into opposing traffic. In this case, officials said the bus moved across the median after the initial impact, which likely increased the severity of the incident.
For passengers and other drivers, the crash is a reminder of how quickly a highway collision can affect multiple vehicles. Chain-reaction crashes are particularly dangerous on expressways because vehicles are often traveling at higher speeds and have little time to react once a crash begins.
The investigation will likely focus on the timeline of the initial collision, the bus driver’s actions, the condition of the coach, available surveillance footage, witness statements and possible vehicle data. Investigators may also review whether the bus company followed required safety and maintenance rules.
For families of the victims, the immediate priority is notification, support and answers. For the public, the key question is whether the crash points to a broader safety issue or was the result of a specific sequence of events.
Why It Matters
The crash left two people dead, injured 20 others and shut down a major New York highway. Because a commercial coach bus was involved, federal investigators will review what happened and whether any safety failures contributed to the collision.
What Comes Next
The NTSB and local authorities will continue investigating the cause of the crash. Officials may release more details about the victims, the bus operator, vehicle conditions and any possible contributing factors in the coming days.
A coach bus crash on the Long Island Expressway in Queens left two people dead and multiple others injured, prompting a federal investigation.
Two Dead, 10 Injured After Bus Flips on Long Island Expressway https://t.co/egbRFlruns pic.twitter.com/gvehcUicP4
— New York Post (@nypost) June 30, 2026
