Queens, NY — December 18, 2024, Rajinder Singh was killed in a truck accident at about 5 a.m. on the Long Island Expressway/Interstate 495.

Authorities said a Ford F-550 rack truck was stopped on the westbound shoulder of the highway near exit 27. The driver was working on the truck's engine when a Peterbilt semi-truck crashed into the rear corner of the truck.

The driver of the disabled truck, Rajinder Singh, 65, of Glen Cove, was pronounced dead at the scene, according to authorities.

The semi-truck driver reportedly is not facing any charges at this point.

The crash is still under investigation.

Commentary

This crash highlights the significant risks involved when vehicles stop on highway shoulders. While the investigation is ongoing, crashes of this type often involve multiple factors that need thorough examination.

Shoulders on highways are intended for emergency use but remain areas of significant risk. The stopped truck emphasizes the need to minimize time spent on the shoulder whenever possible. Passing vehicles, especially commercial trucks, are expected to exercise caution, such as maintaining a safe distance and reducing speed. Whether those precautions were followed here is a crucial question.

Investigators will likely evaluate whether the disabled truck was adequately visible to oncoming traffic. Federal regulations require vehicles stopped on the shoulder to use reflective warning triangles, hazard lights, or flares to alert drivers. Determining if these precautions were implemented and whether their presence — or absence — affected the collision will be important.

The actions of the semi-truck driver will also be a focus of the investigation. Questions about lane discipline, speed and whether distraction or fatigue played a role will need to be addressed. Evidence such as dashcam footage, ECM (engine control module) data and cell phone records may help clarify these aspects.

Given that the incident occurred early in the morning, visibility could have been reduced by darkness or weather. Investigators should also assess the roadway's design features, including the width of the shoulder and the presence of lighting, to determine whether they contributed to the circumstances of the crash.

Understanding why the disabled truck was stopped on the shoulder will also be critical. Whether the mechanical issue was sudden or could have been addressed earlier may shed light on how this situation developed.

This incident reflects the risks associated with stopping or working on a vehicle near active traffic lanes. While highway shoulders are designed for emergency use, their proximity to high-speed traffic creates hazards for both stationary vehicles and those passing nearby. Drivers of stopped vehicles can take measures to enhance safety, such as deploying warning signals, while passing vehicles should treat these areas as requiring heightened awareness.

Collisions like this are typically the result of several overlapping factors, including mechanical failure, road design, driver behavior and visibility. A thorough investigation into each of these areas will help ensure that all relevant details are uncovered, allowing the victim's family to gain a comprehensive understanding of what happened.