UPDATE | Motorcycle rider, 35, critically injured in Staten Island Expressway crash; massive delays
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
Motorcyclist, 35, Clinging to Life After Major Crash on Staten Island Expressway; Commute Plunges into Chaos
STATEN ISLAND, N.Y. – A 35-year-old man is fighting for his life in a local hospital following a horrific motorcycle crash on the Staten Island Expressway during the late-night hours of Thursday, June 19, 2025. The incident has triggered massive delays, leaving a sea of red taillights stretching for miles and frustrating scores of drivers.
The collision, which involved the motorcycle and at least one other vehicle, occurred in the westbound lanes of the expressway near the Verrazzano-Narrows Bridge, according to preliminary reports from the New York Police Department. The force of the impact left a scene of twisted metal and debris scattered across the roadway, forcing authorities to shut down all westbound lanes for several hours.
Emergency services were on the scene within minutes. Paramedics worked feverishly to stabilize the rider, who sustained critical, life-threatening injuries, before rushing him to Richmond University Medical Center. His identity has not yet been released, pending notification of his family.
“It was chaos,” said one witness, who was stuck in the immediate gridlock following the crash. “You could see the bike was just mangled. The traffic just came to a complete standstill. It’s a terrible sight.”
The closure of a major artery like the Staten Island Expressway during a busy weeknight created a ripple effect of gridlock across the borough. Westbound traffic was diverted, causing significant congestion on local streets and service roads as commuters desperately sought alternate routes. Many drivers reported being stranded for over an hour, with some turning off their engines to wait.
“I was just trying to get home from work,” said a frustrated motorist who identified himself as John. “Next thing I know, I’m in a parking lot on the BQE. It’s a nightmare, but you have to hope that the person on the motorcycle is going to be okay. That’s the most important thing.”
The NYPD’s Highway District Collision Investigation Squad is actively investigating the cause of the crash. So far, no arrests have been made, and it is unclear what factors led to the collision. Investigators are urging anyone who may have witnessed the incident or has any information to come forward.
As of late Thursday night, some lanes on the expressway had been reopened, but traffic remained heavily congested as the backlog of vehicles slowly began to clear. Officials are advising motorists to continue to expect residual delays and to seek alternative routes if possible.
