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Staten Island, NY (June 10, 2026) – A 34-year-old motorcyclist died following a three-vehicle collision near the Verrazzano-Narrows Bridge in the Arrochar neighborhood late on Tuesday night, June 9. The crash occurred at approximately 10:30 p.m. on Lily Pond Ave.
According to police, Vazgen Kharchaturyan of Arden Heights was riding a 2025 Ducati motorcycle southbound on Lily Pond Ave when a 2019 Nissan Altima traveling northbound attempted a left turn onto the ramp for the Verrazzano-Narrows Bridge. The motorcycle was struck during the turn.
After the initial impact, the motorcycle continued into a 2018 GMC Terrain that was also traveling northbound in the center lane. The rider sustained severe trauma and was transported by emergency units to Northwell Staten Island University Hospital in Ocean Breeze, where he was pronounced dead.
The drivers of both the Nissan and the GMC remained at the scene following the collision. No arrests have been made, and the investigation remains ongoing.
We extend our deepest condolences to the family and loved ones of Vazgen Kharchaturyan.
Why Left-Turn and Multi-Vehicle Motorcycle Crashes Can Be Severe
Left-turn crashes involving motorcycles are among the most dangerous intersection-related collisions. These incidents often occur when a turning driver misjudges the speed or distance of an oncoming motorcycle, or fails to see it entirely because of its smaller profile.
When a motorcycle is involved in a multi-vehicle sequence, the risk of secondary impacts increases significantly. After an initial collision, a rider may be thrown into another lane or path of travel, creating additional points of contact with other vehicles.
The severity of injuries in these crashes is heightened by the limited physical protection available to motorcyclists. Investigators typically examine traffic patterns, vehicle movements, and signal timing to reconstruct how each stage of the collision unfolded.
