Off-duty NYPD officer involved in fatal Queens motorcycle crash
At about 7:58 p.m. on September 27, 2025, at Francis Lewis Boulevard and Linden Boulevard in Queens, an off-duty NYPD officer making a turn was involved in a crash that killed motorcycle operator Royan Thomas and injured his passenger.
What We Know
At about 7:58 p.m. on September 27, 2025, an eastbound SUV driver was making a left turn at Francis Lewis Boulevard and Linden Boulevard in Queens as a northbound motorcycle rider was going straight, according to the official crash record. The record lists failure to yield right-of-way as a contributing factor. The Attorney General's Office account reported by Hoodline says an off-duty NYPD officer was making a turn onto Linden Boulevard from Francis Lewis Boulevard. Motorcycle operator Royan Thomas died at the scene, and his passenger suffered injuries described as not life-threatening. Attorney General Letitia James' Office of Special Investigation released surveillance footage as part of its ongoing review.
A turn at the intersection preceded the fatal crash
The official record says an eastbound SUV driver was making a left turn and a northbound motorcycle rider was going straight before the 7:58 p.m. crash at Francis Lewis Boulevard and Linden Boulevard.
Hoodline, citing the Attorney General's Office, reported that the collision occurred when an off-duty NYPD officer was making a turn onto Linden Boulevard from Francis Lewis Boulevard.
Royan Thomas died, and a passenger was injured
The official record identifies the person killed as a 34-year-old male motorcycle driver. Hoodline, citing the Attorney General's Office, identified the motorcycle operator as Royan Thomas and reported that he died at the scene.
The same report said a motorcycle passenger was injured, with injuries described as not life-threatening.
Francis Lewis Boulevard has a severe crash history
The crash happened at Francis Lewis Boulevard and Linden Boulevard in Queens, in the 11412 ZIP code.
CrashCountNYC's street-level context for Francis Lewis Boulevard in Queens counted 1,352 crashes, 953 injuries, 53 serious injuries and 4 deaths from January 1, 2022, through June 1, 2026.
Attorney General investigators released footage
Hoodline reported that Attorney General Letitia James' Office of Special Investigation released surveillance footage from its ongoing investigation into Thomas's death. The report said the release was made under a directive intended to support transparency and should not be read as a judgment about guilt or innocence.