A driver was killed Monday when a vehicle crashed into the toll booth area at the entrance to Sunken Meadow State Park and burst into flames, marking the second fatal crash at the same toll plaza in eight days.
New York State Police said troopers responded at approximately 1:04 p.m. Sept. 21 to the northern end of the Sunken Meadow State Parkway in the Town of Smithtown.
A preliminary investigation found that a vehicle crashed into the toll booth area and became engulfed in flames. One person was found dead inside the vehicle, police said.
The crash came exactly one week after another driver was killed in a remarkably similar crash at the same toll plaza.
On Sept. 14, a vehicle slammed into an empty toll booth at the entrance to Sunken Meadow State Park shortly after 11 a.m. and burst into flames, according to State Police and published reports.
The Sept. 14 crash and fire caused such extensive damage that investigators initially could not determine the make and model of the vehicle or identify the person found dead inside.
Neither victim had been publicly identified as of Monday evening.
Kings Park Fire Department Chief Mike Frail told News 12 Long Island that speed appeared to have been a factor in Monday’s crash.
“This is the second time, oddly, in a week. We’ve never really seen this before,” Frail told the station.
Frail said drivers can travel at higher speeds on the parkway, but firefighters had not previously seen vehicles drive directly into the toll booth.
State Police have not said what caused either crash or whether investigators believe the two incidents are connected.
Sunken Meadow State Park was temporarily closed Monday while emergency crews and investigators worked at the scene. Drivers were diverted from the parkway.
Members of the New York State Police Bureau of Criminal Investigation responded along with New York State Park Police, the Kings Park Fire Department and Suffolk County Police Department.
The investigation remains ongoing.
Photo: Scene at the Sunken Meadow toll booths after the first fiery crash on September 14, 2026/Facebook
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