FDNY Confirms 10 Injured in Serious Cross Bay Boulevard Wreck

By Marcus Vance, Crime & Public Safety Reporter | February 20, 2026 | Transportation & Traffic

NEW YORK — Fire Department of New York Chief of Operations John Hodgens announced Saturday that emergency crews transported ten patients to local trauma centers following a devastating collision on the north approach to the Joseph P. Addabbo Memorial Bridge. The multi-vehicle wreck forced police to close all southbound lanes of the busy thoroughfare late Friday night.

First responders from the Broad Channel Volunteer Fire Department arrived at the scene near 165th Avenue shortly after 10:00 p.m. to find three heavily damaged sedans blocking the roadway. Paramedics immediately began sorting victims as additional ambulances rushed to the scene.

Emergency Responders Deploy Massive Mutual Aid Response

Hodgens confirmed that twenty distinct emergency units, including eight ambulance crews and four engine companies, worked for over two hours to stabilize the scene. Two individuals were pulled from the wreckage in critical condition, while three others sustained serious injuries that required immediate surgical intervention.

Five additional victims suffered minor lacerations and bruising but were stable enough to be treated at the scene before being taken to Jamaica Hospital Medical Center. Broad Channel volunteers worked alongside city crews to manage the triage area established on the median.

Traffic Gridlock Strands Commuters at Cross Bay Bridge

"The force of the impact scattered debris across four lanes of traffic," said FDNY Battalion Chief Thomas Currao during a late-night press briefing. "Crews had to cut through the roof of one sedan to safely extract a trapped passenger."

Southbound commuters faced severe delays as police diverted all vehicles off the boulevard onto local streets in Howard Beach. As serious injuries reported on Cross Bay Boulevard were being evaluated, the northbound lanes also experienced heavy delays due to onlookers.

Crash Investigation Unit Analyzes Highway Collision Site

Investigators from the NYPD Highway Safety District spent several hours mapping the crash site, which stretched across more than one hundred feet of asphalt. Preliminary reports suggest that a late-model sedan traveling south at high speed struck the rear of a stationary vehicle before spinning into oncoming traffic.

Alcohol and speed are both being investigated as contributing factors in the crash. The wreck occurred just north of the toll plaza, a section of road known for sudden lane changes and speeding.

Persistent Safety Concerns on Major South Queens Arterial

Local civic leaders have repeatedly called for additional traffic enforcement and speed cameras along this specific stretch of the boulevard. Friday night's incident is the third major collision reported on this corridor in the last six months, raising fresh concerns among neighborhood associations.

This incident highlights ongoing roadway safety challenges that local leaders are attempting to resolve. The community recently welcomed news that the Queens Borough President funding Cross Bay Boulevard upgrades would help install new safety barriers and warning signs along these critical South Queens transit links.

Frequently Asked Questions

What should drivers do if they are caught in traffic delays near the Addabbo Bridge?

Drivers caught in major delays near the bridge should follow all instructions from NYPD traffic agents and utilize detour routes through Woodhaven Boulevard or the Shore Parkway. Real-time updates are typically broadcast on local radio stations and digital highway signs. It is best to avoid the immediate area entirely during major investigation closures.

Where were the injured victims transported for emergency medical treatment?

All ten injured individuals were taken to regional trauma facilities, with the majority being treated at Jamaica Hospital Medical Center and Queens Hospital Center. The two critically injured patients received specialized care at emergency surgical units due to the severity of their impact trauma. Hospital spokespersons have not released updated condition reports.