Gothamist
A non-profit newsroom, powered by WNYC.
Gothamist
Listen Live
News
Woman Who Survived Car Crash Killed Going Back To Her Car
By
Ben Yakas
Published Nov 29, 2015
Modified Jul 24, 2017
Share
FacebookTwitterRedditEmail
Never miss a story
Email address
By submitting your information, you're agreeing to receive communications from New York Public Radio in accordance with our Terms .
By
Ben Yakas
Published Nov 29, 2015
Modified Jul 24, 2017
Share
FacebookTwitterRedditEmail
We rely on your support to make local news available to all
Make your contribution now and help Gothamist thrive in 2026. Donate today
Gothamist is funded by sponsors and member donations
A 25-year-old Long Island woman survived a car crash early this morning, but was fatally struck by a driver when she went back to her car to get her belongings.
Police say the incident happened just before 4 a.m. Sunday when Brittany Leith, a mother of a 3-year-old girl, struck the center median on the Southern State Parkway at Exit 36. Her car flipped over, but she was able to climb out via a cracked window with help from passersby, and made it safely to the shoulder of the road.
However, she then apparently returned to her vehicle before cops arrived "despite warnings from the motorists who had assisted her," according to Newsday. While she was gathering her things, she was struck and killed by another passing driver.
Then, when police arrived and were securing the scene, a state police vehicle was struck from behind by an SUV. The officer was taken to Good Samaritan Hospital Medical Center in unknown condition.
It's unclear whether either of the hit-and-run drivers stayed at the scene or left, but no charges have been filed, and the investigation is ongoing.
Tagged
Brittany Leith
cis
fatally struck
long island
Ben Yakas
Ben Yakas is a former Gothamist reporter.
Read more
Gothamist is funded by sponsors and member donations
Gothamist is funded by sponsors and member donations
MORE news
Bronx man indicted for murder in fatal bodega shooting
Prosecutors say Jesus Acosta shot and killed Tayvon Shuler, then robbed the East 149th Street store last month.
By
Giulia Heyward
Published Sep 29, 2026 at 7:44 p.m. ET
Mamdani must redo his pied-à-terre tax rollout, NY judge orders
A Staten Island judge ruled against the city in a lawsuit challenging the rollout of the new tax, a day after a billionaire casino mogul sued to invalidate it.
By
David Brand
News
Mamdani must redo his pied-à-terre tax rollout, NY judge orders
A Staten Island judge ruled against the city in a lawsuit challenging the rollout of the new tax, a day after a billionaire casino mogul sued to invalidate it.
By
David Brand
NYC eyes higher fines for owners of dirty vacant lots, abandoned construction sites
By
Liam Quigley
NJ Gov. Sherrill vetoes 2 bills meant to give strapped Jersey City more revenue tools
By
Michael Sol Warren
Brooklyn residents displaced after facade falls off neighboring building amid nor'easter
By
Catalina Gonella
Never miss a story
Catch up on the most important headlines with a roundup of essential NYC stories, delivered to your inbox daily.
Sign upEmail address
By submitting your information, you're agreeing to receive communications from New York Public Radio in accordance with our Terms .