Authorities have identified the woman who lost her life in a tragic incident on the Long Island Expressway (LIE) early Saturday morning. Priyanka Sewhani, a 32-year-old resident of Oyster Bay, died after reportedly jumping from a moving Uber vehicle and being struck by another car.
The heartbreaking sequence of events began as Sewhani, a passenger in a 2019 Volkswagen Passat, unexpectedly exited the vehicle near the Kissena Boulevard exit in Queens. She was seated in the backseat when she left the car, according to police reports. Moments later, she was struck by a vehicle traveling in the left lane. The driver of the vehicle that hit her did not stop and fled the scene.
Emergency responders pronounced Sewhani dead at the scene, her life cut tragically short. The driver of the Uber vehicle, who remained at the scene, cooperated with investigators as law enforcement began piecing together the circumstances surrounding the incident.
The eastbound lanes of the LIE were temporarily shut down following the event, allowing NYPD highway patrol officers to conduct a thorough investigation. Authorities have not yet determined what caused Sewhani to leave the vehicle, leaving friends, family, and the community searching for answers.
In a statement, a spokesperson for Uber expressed the company’s sorrow over the incident. “Our thoughts are with the rider’s loved ones during this unimaginably difficult time. We are prepared to assist law enforcement in any way necessary as they investigate this horrific tragedy,” the spokesperson said.
The tragic loss of Priyanka Sewhani has left many shaken. Her sudden death highlights not only the fragility of life but also the lingering questions surrounding the moments leading up to the incident. As investigators work to uncover more details, the family and loved ones of the young woman are left to grapple with their grief.
The incident also brings into focus broader concerns about passenger safety during rideshare trips and the obligations of other drivers on the road. The fact that the driver of the vehicle that struck Sewhani fled the scene adds another layer of sadness and complexity to the case.
The investigation remains ongoing, with authorities urging anyone who may have witnessed the incident or has information about the hit-and-run driver to come forward. Meanwhile, Sewhani’s loved ones mourn a vibrant life lost far too soon.
