A tragic two-car collision took the lives of five people on the Cross Island Parkway in Queens, New York, in the early hours of New Year’s Day, 2024. The fatal incident happened near Exit 36S, an area notoriously labeled as “dead man’s curve” due to a history of deadly accidents.
The collision involved a Mazda sedan, which was reportedly speeding northbound, driven by 24-year-old Kazeem Ramsahai from North Carolina. Police reports indicate that the Mazda hit a curb and capsized around 6 a.m., after which it was struck by a northbound Honda.
All four passengers in the Mazda, identified as Jordy Bentances, 20; Mario Ocampo, 30; Salma Garcia-Diaz, 23; and Dayanara Benitez, 19, were thrown out of the car and declared dead at the scene. The driver, Ramsahai, was found beneath the Mazda and also pronounced dead.
The Honda driver was taken to New York-Presbyterian Queens Hospital and is reported to be in stable condition.
Residents close to the site have long raised safety concerns about this section of the parkway. In an interview with CBS-TV News, local resident Rod Snedecor called it a “dead man’s curve,” highlighting the bend’s tightness and the frequent accidents occurring there. Another resident, Mike DiMarco, underscored the sharpness of the turn and the high speeds at which vehicles often approach it.
The accident-prone bend has a grim history. In April 2020, two motorcyclists were killed in separate incidents within days. Kevin Stout, 57, lost control and was thrown off his motorcycle, while NYPD officer Richard Holt died from injuries after his motorcycle was hit by a drag racing car. Another motorcyclist died in June 2018 at Exit 36, heightening concerns over this part of the parkway.
The New York Police Department’s Collision Investigation Squad is currently probing the accident. There have been no arrests made so far.
The recurring accidents have led to calls for enhanced safety measures. Locals have proposed the installation of more warning signs, especially to alert drivers about the curve. Advocates are pushing for blinking lights and clearer signage to caution drivers of potential danger.
State and local officials, including area Senator Toby Stavisky, are being urged to address these safety concerns. Suggestions range from improved signage and lighting to possible reconstruction of the roadway to augment safety.
