Christopher Sabbagh, 31, was killed late Saturday when he lost control of his car and slammed into a utility pole, then a parked vehicle, along Forest Avenue in West Brighton, roughly a mile from his Staten Island home. The collision happened around 9:50 p.m. on May 9, and medics rushed Sabbagh to Richmond University Medical Center, where he was later pronounced dead. Police say the crash remains under investigation.
According to the New York Daily News, Sabbagh was driving a 2024 Mitsubishi Mirage heading west on Forest Avenue when the car veered, struck a utility pole and then hit a parked Ford SUV at Forest Avenue and North Burgher Avenue. Officers at the scene told the paper that investigators have not yet determined a probable cause and are still piecing together what led to the crash. The NYPD has not announced any arrests or charges in connection with the collision.
Forest Avenue safety concerns
Forest Avenue is a busy cross borough corridor used by trucks, buses and local traffic, and it has already drawn attention from city planners focused on safety. The NYC Department of Transportation has proposed Vision Zero treatments along stretches of Forest Avenue, including refuge islands and signal changes intended to slow traffic and reduce turning conflicts. Local crash data compiled by CrashCount shows Staten Island recorded five traffic fatalities and 649 injuries year to date through May 2, underscoring the ongoing risks on high speed corridors.
Investigation ongoing
Police say their inquiry into the late night crash is active and that investigators are collecting witness statements, physical evidence and vehicle records, per the New York Daily News. Authorities have released few specifics about what caused Sabbagh to lose control; detectives typically examine factors such as speed, impairment and vehicle condition. We will update this report if officials or the family provide additional information.
