A two-vehicle crash on Ocean Parkway shut down westbound lanes near Cedar Beach on Long Island Thursday evening, sending one person to the hospital by helicopter and another by ambulance, according to News 12 New York.
State troopers responded to the scene around 4:30 p.m. after receiving a call about the collision. News crews on location observed three damaged vehicles, though only two were confirmed to be involved in the initial crash.
Traffic in the area was rerouted for roughly two hours while emergency crews worked the scene, causing significant backups for beachgoers heading home during one of the hottest stretches of the summer so far.
Local drivers took to social media soon after the crash, with many expressing shock that an accident could happen on what they described as a straight, easy stretch of roadway.
Members of a Long Island off-roading Facebook group pointed to the area near the Salt Shack restaurant as a known trouble spot, claiming drivers frequently pull out slowly into the left lane while trying to make a U-turn, creating dangerous conditions for oncoming traffic.
Several commenters called for the turnaround to be closed entirely and for drivers to be directed to a different U-turn location further down the parkway.
Community Reaction Turns Toward Safety Concerns
Not everyone in the online conversation focused on blame. Some commenters urged others to remember the people involved in the crash rather than criticize driving habits in the area, noting the seriousness of a medical helicopter being called to the scene.
The mixed reaction reflects a broader frustration many Long Islanders have voiced about traffic patterns near the parkway’s beach access points, especially during the busy summer season.
The crash comes as Long Island remains under an extreme heat warning that is set to last until 9 p.m. Saturday. Temperatures have climbed into the 100s in some areas, prompting warnings about heat-related illness, poor air quality and even burn risks from hot playground equipment.
Several beach-related businesses and attractions, including Adventureland, have also faced closures this week tied to the heat and related power outages.
As of Friday morning, officials had not released the identities or current conditions of those injured in the Ocean Parkway crash. It also remains unclear whether the extreme heat played any role in the collision.
News 12 has not indicated whether the road closure led to any additional accidents in the surrounding area during the two-hour diversion period.
This story may be updated as more information becomes available from local authorities.
