Cops are looking for the suspect in connection with a fatal collision that killed a biker from Glendale in April.
Photo courtesy of NYPD
The NYPD released a photo of a suspect wanted in connection to a fatal chain-reaction crash on the Van Wyck Expressway near Flushing Meadows Corona Park that left a Glendale motorcyclist mortally injured in April.
The NYPD Highway District’s Collision Investigation Squad determined that on Tuesday, April 14, Jonathan Santiago, 39, of Doran Avenue, was traveling northbound on a 2018 Yamaha R1 heading towards Exit 12A for College Point Boulevard at approximately 7:15 p.m. when he struck a 2021 Yamaha motorcycle operated by the suspect that was stationary on the exit ramp.
Jonathan Santiago, 39, was riding northbound on the Van Wyck Expressway near College Point Boulevard on the evening of April 14 when he struck a motorcycle the suspect had parked on the exit ramp starting a chain reaction crash that killed the Glendale man.QNS file photo
Following the initial impact, Santiago allegedly failed to navigate the roadway and collided with a 2024 Mercedes-Benz Sprinter van, driven by a 47-year-old man, who was driving northbound on the Van Wyck Expressway. Santiago was ejected from his motorcycle and fell to the pavement.
Police from the 107th Precinct responded to a 911 call of a vehicle collision and found Santiago on the roadway with severe head trauma. EMS rushed him to New York-Presbyterian Queens Hospital, where he was pronounced dead.
The driver of the Mercedes van remained at the crash site while the other motorcyclist jumped sped away from the scene. The investigation remains ongoing by the NYPD Highway District’s Collision Investigation Squad.
The NYPD is asking for the public’s assistance in identifying the suspect who is described as having a medium complexion with a dark full beard and mustache. He was wearing thick black sunglasses and a black half helmet.
A reward of up to $3,500 is being offered for information that leads to his arrest and indictment.
Anyone with information regarding this fatal collision investigation is asked to call the NYPD’s Crime Stoppers Hotline at 800-577-TIPS (8477) or for Spanish, 888-57-PISTA (74782). The public can also submit their tips by logging onto the Crime Stoppers website at crimestoppers.nypdonline.org or on X (the platform formerly known as Twitter) @NYPDTips. All calls and messages are strictly confidential.
Through July 12, the 107th Precinct has reported two traffic fatalities so far in 2026 after none were reported at the same point last year, according to the most recent CompStat report.