A 29-year-old motorcyclist was killed Monday afternoon when the Kawasaki he was riding collided with a Subaru making a left turn on Old Country Road in New Cassel, according to Nassau County Police. The crash happened around 12:40 p.m. near Bond Street, when detectives say a westbound 2024 Subaru attempted a left-hand turn directly into the path of the eastbound 2016 Kawasaki. The motorcyclist suffered serious injuries at the scene and was later pronounced dead at a nearby hospital.
The Subaru was being driven by an 81-year-old man, who was also taken to a hospital and is listed in stable condition, as reported by News 12 New York. The Nassau County Police Homicide Squad is investigating the crash, according to Daily Voice. Police have not released the motorcyclist's identity.
What New York Law Says About Left Turns
Under New York Vehicle and Traffic Law Section 1141, a driver turning left at an intersection or onto a street must yield the right-of-way to any oncoming vehicle close enough to pose an immediate hazard, per Justia Law. The homicide squad's investigation remains open.
The age of the Subaru driver may draw local attention, but New York imposes no age-based license renewal restrictions or mandatory re-testing for older motorists. The state requires all drivers, regardless of age, to renew their license every eight years with a standard vision screening, according to Nolo. Fitness reviews instead rely on physician reports or official re-evaluation requests rather than any age cutoff. Nolo also notes that drivers aged 65 and older made up 23% of all registered drivers in New York State in 2022.
A Dangerous Corridor With a History
Old Country Road was the site of Monday's collision in New Cassel, near Bond Street, according to the reports. The reports do not cite a 2014-2023 crash study or rank the nearby Broadway intersection among Long Island's most dangerous junctions.
Monday's collision involved a left-turning Subaru and an eastbound motorcycle. The reports do not provide statewide motorcycle-fatality totals or a breakdown of motorcycle crashes by vehicle involvement.
Rising Road Deaths Across Nassau County
Monday's fatality adds to Nassau County's traffic-death toll. The reports do not provide a broader annual comparison or discuss local road-design efforts.
The Nassau County Police Homicide Squad's investigation into Monday's crash remains ongoing, and no fault or charges have been announced. Police have not released the motorcyclist's name.
