A Long Island Rail Road train collided with a taxi in Manorville, New York, on Tuesday, July 30, 2024, killing the taxi driver and seriously injuring a passenger. The incident occurred at approximately 12:45 p.m. at the Wading River Road crossing, involving a train traveling eastbound from Ronkonkoma to Greenport.
The Metropolitan Transportation Authority (MTA) Police Department stated that the taxi driver, Daniel Seagren, 49, drove through a lowered crossing gate. The crossing lights flashed, and bells rang to signal the approaching train. The taxi stopped on the tracks, leading to the collision.
Firefighter Chris Steel from the Manorville Fire Department described the scene after the accident, explaining that the gates were down when he arrived. He requested the train personnel raise the gates to allow his rescue truck to approach the car more closely. He observed that the driver was conscious at the scene, while the passenger was not. Steel also mentioned that the vehicle needed to be cut open to free the individuals trapped inside.
Seagren, a resident of Ronkonkoma, was transported to Peconic Bay Medical Center, where he was pronounced dead. The passenger, whose identity remains undisclosed, was airlifted to Stony Brook University Hospital and is reported to be in serious but stable condition.
About 50 passengers were aboard the double-decker train during the crash, but none sustained injuries. Train services were suspended east of Ronkonkoma for nearly 90 minutes but were restored shortly afterward, allowing the train to proceed to Riverhead. Passengers traveling to Greenport were provided with bus transportation.
Eyewitness accounts from Manorville residents describe the impact. One neighbor reported, “I heard the train coming. I heard the horn go off and a popping sound like glass breaking.”
The collision has prompted investigations into the factors contributing to the accident. One media source reported that Seagren had significant eyesight issues and a history of traffic violations, including upcoming cataract surgery.
The Manorville crossing is part of a straight track lined with trees, potentially limiting driver visibility. Federal Railroad Administration data indicates that the train’s speed limit on this section ranges from 30 to 40 mph, though the exact speed at the time of the crash is under investigation.
A GoFundMe campaign has been set up to help with Daniel Seagren’s memorial costs. The organizer, Christine Ott, wife of one of the victim’s close friends, highlighted Seagren’s generous and caring nature, noting his readiness to help others without hesitation. The effort has raised over $700.
Seagren is survived by his sister, elderly father, several nieces and nephews, and his beloved cat, Jazzy.