1 person killed following crash at Sunken Meadow State Park toll booth; 2nd fatality there in a week
The crash happened at the park's entrance toll plaza in Kings Park. Video from the scene showed thick black smoke billowing from the vehicle after the impact.
A driver was killed Monday after crashing into a toll booth at Sunken Meadow State Park, according to New York State Police.
The crash happened at the park's entrance toll plaza in Kings Park. Video from the scene showed thick black smoke billowing from the vehicle after the impact.
Authorities said the driver was pronounced dead at the scene.
The incident is the second deadly toll booth crash at Sunken Meadow State Park in the span of a week. A similar crash occurred last Monday morning in the same area, also resulting in a fatality.
Hours after Monday's crash, state police and park officials remained at the scene investigating what caused the vehicle to veer into the toll booth.
Sunken Meadow State Park was temporarily closed as emergency crews and investigators worked the scene. Drivers were diverted off the Sunken Meadow Parkway at Exit SM5W.
“This is the second time, oddly, in a week. We’ve never really seen this before,” said Kings Park Fire Department Chief Mike Frail.
Frail said speed appears to have been a factor in the latest crash.
“It is a parkway and people tend to go faster, but we’ve never seen it to where they are driving directly and hitting the toll booth,” he said.
Police have not yet identified the driver killed in Monday's crash. Authorities also have not said whether they believe the two fatal incidents are connected.
NYS Park officials said they will be analyzing mitigation measures to the toll plaza at the state park.
The investigation remains ongoing.
