Crime & Safety

Sheet of Ice on Northern State Leads to 12 Car Pileup

Roads icing over, creating a nightmare for drivers; NWS calling for two days of snow, sleet and freezing rain.

The Northern State Parkway near Plainview has become a sheet of ice, resulting in at least two overturned car wrecks since darkness fell. The most serious is a 12-car pileup near Sunnyside Boulevard at around 8:30 p.m. Tuesday night.

Plainview and Syosset firefighters are on the scene at the parkway, which has closed the westbound lanes. A second overturned vehicle has been reported further west on the parkway, between the South Oyster Bay Road exit and Broadway exit in Hicksville, authorities said. That crash is in the westbound lanes as well.

The icing is the result of a winter two-part storm that is bringing snow, sleet and freezing rain to the region through Wednesday.

Find out what's happening in Syossetwith free, real-time updates from Patch.

The has issued a winter storm warning for the region, saying the snow that fell Tuesday morning in Syosset is just the first phase of a wintery blast approaching from the west.

Motorists faced icy travel conditions during Tuesday night's commute. At least half a dozen accidents were reported around the region during the rush hour. More are likely as the evening goes on.

Find out what's happening in Syossetwith free, real-time updates from Patch.

Earlier in the day: 

Syosset schools as well as the Syosset Public Library cancelled after school activities and programs. 

The  reported normal afternoon service on most of its lines, including the two that run through Hicksville, Bethpage and Syosset stations.

The forecast calls for sleet and freezing rain Tuesday night into Wednesday. Road surfaces have been treated but remain slick with icy patches in places. A major car accident involving a commuter van with multiple injuries was reported in Melville during the morning hours. Several cars have flipped over on Long Island during the day.

The NWS was said 3-5 inches of snow were possible Tuesday. Then, Long Island would be hit with a coating of freezing rain. Driving throughout the day may be  It's supposed to be worse to the north and west of us. When the second wave hits, temperatures will be rising toward the freezing point, bringing freezing rain. 

The NWS says freezing rain and icy conditions will continue through Wednesday.

Stay with Syosset Patch throughout the evening and into Wednesday for frequent updates on conditions and developments.


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