Off-Duty NYPD Recruit Dies in Queens Motorcycle Crash
NYPD recruit Caleb E. Park, 21, died after investigators said he lost control of his motorcycle around 6 a.m. on a Queens ramp, QNS reported.
Location reported in Open Data.
What We Know
QNS reported that investigators said Park lost control on an entrance ramp from the eastbound Jackie Robinson Parkway to the northbound Van Wyck Expressway and hit a cement barrier; News 12 described the ramp in the opposite direction, while the Daily News reported a guardrail collision. QNS said Park was taken to Jamaica Hospital Medical Center and pronounced dead. QNS identified the day as Wednesday, October 21; the year 2026 is inferred from its publication year.
Reports differ on the collision details.
QNS reported that investigators said Park lost control, hit a cement barrier on the right and was ejected. News 12 also reported a concrete-barrier impact and ejection, while the Daily News said the rider struck a guardrail.
QNS reported that Park was pronounced dead at Jamaica Hospital Medical Center; News 12 said he died at Jamaica Hospital.
QNS identified the day as Wednesday, October 21. Because its report was published in 2026, October 21, 2026, is an inferred incident date, not a full date stated in the incident account.
Reports place the crash on different sides of the highway connection.
QNS placed the crash in Briarwood on the entrance ramp from the eastbound Jackie Robinson Parkway to the northbound Van Wyck Expressway. The Daily News described Park traveling north on the Jackie Robinson Parkway and entering the Van Wyck ramp. News 12 instead described a ramp from the Van Wyck Expressway to the Jackie Robinson Parkway, so the reports do not establish one ramp direction.
Park was beginning his NYPD career.
QNS reported that Park, an off-duty probationary officer from Brooklyn, joined the NYPD in July and was assigned to the Recruit Training Section at the police academy in College Point. He was traveling to the academy when the crash happened.
Police Benevolent Association President Patrick Hendry said, “Though his NYPD career was only beginning, he will always be remembered by his brothers and sisters who trained with him in the Police Academy.”
Reports vary in how specifically they identify the motorcycle.
QNS and News 12 identified Park’s vehicle as a 2008 Triumph Street Triple motorcycle. The Daily News reported that police described the badly damaged two-wheel vehicle as appearing to be a motorcycle rather than a scooter or moped.
The investigation remained open.
QNS reported on October 22 that police had made no arrests and the investigation was ongoing.