New York, NY (October 27, 2026) – A 23-year-old New Jersey man died after a tractor-trailer hit his minivan on the RFK Bridge, police said.
The MTA Police Department said the minivan broke down on the Manhattan-bound side of the bridge around 3:30 a.m. on October 27. The man got out and opened the hood to check what was wrong.
About 16 minutes later, a tractor-trailer hit the minivan from behind, according to police. Police said the impact pushed the minivan onto the man, who was standing in front of the open hood.
Officers called FDNY and EMS, who took the man to a nearby hospital. He was pronounced dead at 4:42 a.m.
Police said a review of video footage found no signs of criminal activity. The investigation is ongoing, and officials are still working to determine how fast the tractor-trailer was going. No summonses have been issued.
The crash forced officials to close all lanes in both directions of the RFK Bridge. One lane began reopening intermittently at 5:21 a.m. before all lanes reopened at 8:28 a.m.
This is a developing story. Details may change as the investigation continues.
When a Tractor-Trailer Hits a Disabled Vehicle on a New York Bridge
The National Highway Traffic Safety Administration counted 5,340 deaths in large-truck crashes nationwide in 2024, including 667 people outside a vehicle. Officials are still determining the tractor-trailer’s speed, and investigators also examine following distance, driver attention, and recorder data.
After a fatal crash, a family may bring a wrongful death claim for funeral costs and lost support. A survival claim covers what the person suffered before death. A written preservation demand can ask the trucking company to keep dashcam video, driver logs, and electronic control module data.
- First steps: Request the MTA Police crash report number. Keep every funeral and medical bill, along with any photos or video of the scene. Give the no-fault insurer written notice within 30 days, by November 26, 2026.
- Who may be liable: The truck driver, the motor carrier, and any company responsible for the truck’s loading or maintenance. The MTA operates the RFK Bridge. If a public authority’s conduct is at issue, notice is generally due within 90 days, by January 25, 2027 (Gen. Mun. Law § 50-e). Details such as the carrier’s identity may change as police release more.
- Deadlines and fault: Wrongful death claims are due within two years of death, by October 27, 2028 (EPTL § 5-4.1). Survival claims are due within three years, by October 27, 2029 (CPLR § 214). Where Insurance Law Article 51 applies, CPLR § 1411(b) bars recovery when a claimant’s fault equals or exceeds the defendants’ combined fault.
Contact Our New York Truck Accident Attorneys
Founding attorney Arkady Frekhtman, rated 9.8 out of 10 (Superb) on Avvo, leads our New York truck accident attorneys. We take on drivers, motor carriers, and their insurers after tractor-trailer and other commercial vehicle crashes. We know logs, dashcam footage, and recorder data must be secured early.
For a grieving family, we handle the insurer calls and records requests and answer every question at the family’s pace.
What Frekhtman & Associates brings to a fatal tractor-trailer crash claim in New York City:
- $900M+ recovered for injured New York clients across more than 25 years of practice
- $69,225,000 auto accident jury verdict, one of the largest in New York State history
- Free 24/7 consultations, including home and hospital visits for clients unable to travel
- Personal callbacks from founding attorney Arkady Frekhtman
- Russian-language services available
- Zero fees unless we win your case
- $2,400,000 mediated settlement in a Bronx truck accident (McKenna v. DJM Transportation)
Our Manhattan office is at 30 Broad St, Suite 1461, New York, NY 10004, and we serve families from our Bronx and Queens offices too. Call 866-821-0718, visit us, or send the details through our contact form.
