Deadly wreck happened on Long Island Expressway just west of Exit 68, authorities say
YAPHANK, NY, (October 20, 2024) - A Garden City woman was a passenger on a motorcycle that crashed into an SUV in Yaphank, Suffolk police said. Sadly, the woman died from her injuries sustained in the crash.
Dawn Jimenez-Salta, a 60-year-old Garden City resident, was killed following a crash between a motorcycle and an SUV in Yaphank on Sunday night, Suffolk police said.
The incident happened along the Long Island Expressway just west of Exit 68 around 5:25 p.m. on Sunday.
According to preliminary findings, 60-year-old Dawn Jimenez-Salta was a passenger on a 2007 Harley-Davidson motorcycle that was traveling westbound on the expressway when its driver slammed into the rear of a 2016 Lexus SUV that had slowed down due to traffic. The impact caused the Lexus to strike a 2019 Audi SUV, police said.
Jimenez-Salta was pronounced dead at Long Island Community Hospital in East Patchogue. The motorcycle driver sustained serious injuries.
The investigation remains underway.
CRASH INVESTIGATION NEEDED
According to the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration, there were 6,530 motorcyclists killed on U.S. roadways in 2021, an increase of 9 percent from 2020.
Candice Bond, an experienced motorcycle accident attorney, said in such cases, it is imperative to preserve evidence through an independent probe.
“In addition to a police report, an attorney will carefully review what may have contributed to the crash,” said Bond, Managing Partner at Bond Legal. “Serving as an advocate, an attorney can help compassionately guide the heartbroken family of a victim during this difficult time, protecting their legal rights while ensuring that a driver is held accountable after disobeying traffic laws.”
WRONGFUL DEATH CLAIM
Pending the investigation, the family of Dawn Jimenez-Salta may pursue a wrongful death claim. Family members of wrongful death victims may seek damages for loss of companionship, pain and suffering, and emotional distress following a tragic or catastrophic accident such as this.
“The stress and sorrow can be extremely overwhelming after losing a loved one in an accident,” said Bond, a national legal analyst for Newsline.
“A wrongful death lawyer will stay updated on the official investigation and help ensure that the victim's legal rights and best interests are protected.”
Newsline's national legal analyst Candice Bond is experienced in motorcycle accidents, and if you or a family member need help she's available for a free consultation to guide you.
(Candice Bond, our national legal analyst, is a Managing Partner at Bond Legal. Newsline can and does use quotes from prior interviews with our analysts for our news articles. If you would like to contact Bond Legal to help you, please call 866-985-6515 or use the submission box found on this page. Legal analysts quoted may or may not be licensed in your state).