Fatal vehicle crash into Sunken Meadow State Park toll plaza is 2nd in a week, park officials say
Firefighters at the scene of Monday's crash at the toll plaza at Sunken Meadow State Park in Kings Park. Credit: Joe Sperber
For the second time in a week, a vehicle crashed into the tollbooths at Sunken Meadow State Park in Kings Park, killing the driver and temporarily closing the park, police said.
State police and Suffolk fire officials said the latest crash was reported at 1:04 p.m. Monday in a 911 call.
For the second time in a week, a car crashed into the toll plaza at Sunken Meadow State Park, killing the driver, park officials said. Credit: Evan Rolla
Officials said the Kings Park Fire Department and state police and state park police responded to the scene.
"The preliminary investigation determined that a vehicle crashed into the toll booth area at the entrance to Sunken Meadow State Park and became engulfed in flames. One deceased occupant was located inside the vehicle," state police said in a release.
Additional information about the crash, including the driver's identity and hometown, was not available late Monday. The park temporarily closed but reopened about 4:30 p.m. according to state parks Long Island Regional Director George Gorman.
Last Monday, a fiery crash killed a driver at the toll plaza at Sunken Meadow, which borders Long Island Sound. The plaza, built in the 1950s, was renovated about 10 years ago.
Park officials said both crashes took place at the same location on the toll plaza.
"We don’t know exactly what happened, but we are going to be doing an analysis if there are any mitigation measures we can take," Gorman said.
John Valenti, a Newsday reporter since 1981, has been honored nationally by the Associated Press, Society of the Silurians and National Headliner Awards for investigative, enterprise and breaking news reporting, as well as column writing. He is the author of “Swee'pea,” about New York playground basketball star Lloyd Daniels. His debut crime novel, “For Nothing Is Hidden,” rooted in 1950s Long Island, was released in October 2025.
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