You are reading

Tow Truck Driver Dead Following Crash on the Long Island Expressway

(iStock)

Oct. 10, 2022 By Max Murray

A tow truck driver was struck dead on the Long Island Expressway during the early hours Saturday morning while he was attempting to hitch a vehicle onto the back of his truck.

Carlos Santiago, 47, of Howard Beach, was fatally hit at around 3:20 a.m. while a 27-year-old man whose broken-down Nissan sedan was about to be towed is in serious condition. They were both struck on the shoulder of the Long Island Expressway—on the Manhattan-bound side near 84th Street and Woodhaven Boulevard.

According to police, the pair were hit after Denzel Porter, who was allegedly driving drunk, lost control of his west-bound Dodge Durango and struck a Volkswagen in an adjacent lane.

The driver of the Volkswagen then careened into Santiago, knocking him to the pavement. Porter, in the Dodge, then plowed into the Nissan sedan, which in turn made contact with the 27-year-old man, knocking him to the ground.

Santiago and the 27-year-old man were both transported to NYC Health & Hospitals/Elmhurst where Santiago was declared dead while the 27-year-old remains in serious condition with leg injuries.

The occupants of the Dodge, which included Porter and two passengers, and the Volkswagen, which didn’t have any passengers, were transported via EMS to New York-Presbyterian Hospital-Queens. All were listed in stable condition.

Police charged Porter with attempted vehicular manslaughter and attempted criminally negligent homicide. The investigation remains ongoing, police said.

email the author: news@queenspost.com

One Comment

Click for Comments 

Leave a Comment
Reply to this Comment

All comments are subject to moderation before being posted.

This site is protected by reCAPTCHA and the Google Privacy Policy and Terms of Service apply.

Recent News

Catch the fall vibe at these western Queens breweries

Sep. 3, 2025 By Jessica Militello

September rings in the start of Oktoberfest from mid-September through October, featuring special brews, fun events and more fall fun. Western Queens is filled with breweries to enjoy seasonal brews, fall flavors and the start of cooler weather as Autumn approaches, making it a perfect time to meet up with friends at these local spaces.

Fall fun in western Queens: Your guide to the best seasonal events

Aug. 29, 2025 By Jessica Militello

With beach days and summer BBQs behind us, the start of September rings in the start of magnificent Fall foliage, Halloween and more fun activities that come with the start of Autumn, including a list of Fall events in the area. From apple picking to seasonal ciders and more, there is tons to explore in the community. From Mystic Markets to scary movie meet-ups and more, here is a list of Fall events you do not want to miss.

A hidden gem in Sunnyside: Bistro Punta Sal blends Peruvian and Italian flavors

Aug. 29, 2025 By Jessica Militello

On a quiet street in Sunnyside, Bistro Punta Sal has its French doors wide open, letting the late August breeze emanate throughout the space, which is ornate with flowers, paintings and an array of tables and chairs for intimate dinners with friends or a romantic date night. The cozy restaurant, located at 45-51 46th St., is a hidden gem in the neighborhood that is just waiting to be discovered, as the sights and aromas of the restaurant invite guests in.