Two people are dead and nearly 20 more were hurt after a coach bus overturned on the Long Island Expressway in Queens overnight.
Police say the crash happened around 11:40 p.m. Monday. A coach bus traveling westbound on the Long Island Expressway first collided with two vehicles before striking the center median. The bus then overturned into the eastbound lanes, where it hit two more vehicles.
The driver of the bus and one of the passengers were pronounced dead, authorities said.
Three other people suffered critical injuries, two were seriously hurt and 15 others sustained minor injuries, most of them passengers on the bus.
Parts of the expressway remained closed near Exit 16 through the morning commute after causing hours of gridlock overnight.
Both directions of the roadway at the Midtown Tunnel were shuttered to traffic as the investigation continued.
Officials recommend drivers use the Grand Central Parkway and allow themselves extra commuting time.
Investigators are still working to determine the cause of the crash.