May 22, 2026 — 6:45 PM. Anees Khan, 38, of Huntington, was killed Friday evening when his 2023 Ducati motorcycle struck the rear bumper of a Kia SUV while attempting to pass on Round Swamp Road near Hilltop Drive in Melville. Khan was thrown from the motorcycle, which caught fire on the roadway. He was pronounced dead at the scene.
What Happened
At approximately 6:45 PM on Friday, May 22, Khan was riding his 2023 Ducati motorcycle southbound on Round Swamp Road in Melville when he attempted to pass a 2022 Kia Seltos traveling in the same direction. During the pass, Khan struck the right rear bumper of the Kia.
The impact threw Khan from the motorcycle. The Ducati caught fire on the roadway. A physician assistant from the Suffolk County Medical Examiner’s office pronounced Khan dead at the scene.
The driver of the Kia, Stephen Kutcher, 85, of Plainview, and his passenger, Susan Kutcher, 85, also of Plainview, were not injured. Both vehicles were impounded for safety checks.
The Suffolk County Police Second Squad is investigating. Anyone with information is asked to call detectives at (631) 854-8252.
The Road: Round Swamp Road
Round Swamp Road is a two-lane north-south road that runs through Melville and Old Bethpage in the Town of Huntington. The stretch near Hilltop Drive is residential with moderate curves, no center median, and a 35 mph speed limit. It connects to major east-west corridors including the LIE (I-495) via Route 110 and serves as a local cut-through for riders and drivers moving between Huntington and areas south.
For motorcyclists, roads like Round Swamp present a specific hazard profile: two-lane undivided pavement with driveways, limited sight lines on curves, and mixed traffic speeds. A passing attempt on a road with these characteristics requires clear visibility of oncoming traffic and sufficient distance — conditions that narrow quickly at highway-level motorcycle speeds.
Long Island’s Motorcycle Fatality Problem
This crash is part of a persistent and devastating pattern on Long Island. Suffolk County has historically recorded a disproportionate share of New York State’s motorcycle fatalities — averaging approximately two motorcycle deaths per week during riding season, according to AAA data and NHTSA statistics.
In April 2026, three people were killed and four seriously injured in six separate Suffolk County crashes in a single day — prompting renewed calls for enforcement and rider safety education. The New York State Governor’s Traffic Safety Committee launched a “Drive Safe Long Island” campaign in 2025 specifically targeting dangerous driving patterns in Nassau and Suffolk counties.
Why Passing Crashes Kill Motorcyclists
Passing-related crashes are among the most lethal for motorcyclists because they typically occur at the highest relative speeds. When a motorcycle clips a vehicle it’s attempting to pass, the rider is almost always ejected — and at speeds above 40 mph, ejection is frequently fatal regardless of helmet use. The post-impact fire in this case, while dramatic, was secondary to the ejection as the cause of death.
NHTSA data consistently shows that approximately 30% of fatal motorcycle crashes on two-lane roads involve an overtaking or passing maneuver. The risk is compounded on roads without dedicated passing zones, where the rider must judge oncoming traffic distance, the speed differential, and the length of the vehicle being passed — all in real time, with no margin for error.
Motorcycle Safety: What Riders Should Know
With Memorial Day weekend underway — traditionally one of the deadliest weekends for motorcyclists nationwide — this crash is a reminder of the fundamental risks:
- Passing on two-lane roads is the single most dangerous maneuver a motorcyclist can make. If you can’t see far enough ahead to complete the pass with a wide margin, don’t attempt it.
- Rain this weekend makes everything worse — wet pavement reduces tire grip, visibility drops, and painted lane markings become slick. Long Island is under a heavy rain advisory through Sunday.
- Speed differential matters. The faster you’re going relative to the vehicle you’re passing, the less time you have to react if anything goes wrong.
- Helmets save lives but don’t prevent ejection injuries. New York requires helmets for all motorcycle riders and passengers (VTL §381). Wear one. But understand that a helmet protects your head — it doesn’t prevent the thoracic, spinal, and internal injuries that are the leading causes of death in high-speed ejections.
Were You Involved in a Motorcycle Accident?
If you or a family member has been injured in a motorcycle accident on Long Island, understanding your legal rights is critical. New York’s no-fault insurance system covers basic medical expenses and lost wages, but motorcycle riders are excluded from no-fault PIP benefits under Insurance Law §5103(a) — meaning your recovery depends on a third-party liability claim. A free legal consultation can help you understand your options.
📞 (516) 750-0595 — Available 24/7
Suffolk County Police Second Squad is investigating. Anyone with information is asked to call (631) 854-8252.
Sources: Newsday | Daily Voice | Greater Long Island | Huntington Matters | Suffolk County Police Department