BRONX, NY — A Bronx man died early Saturday after a motorcycle crash near the Macombs Dam Bridge, according to police. Investigators said the rider lost control on the Major Deegan Expressway, hit a guardrail and was thrown from the bike.
The NYPD identified the man as 24-year-old Shah Ahsan Ardi of Wakefield. Paramedics pronounced him dead at the scene after officers responded around 4:20 a.m.
Police said Ardi suffered severe trauma to the body. The crash happened in the northbound lanes near the bridge, and the roadway was shut down while investigators examined the scene.
Police say rider lost control before hitting guardrail
According to the NYPD, Ardi was traveling northbound on the expressway when the motorcycle went out of control. The bike then struck a guardrail, setting off the collision that caused the fatal injuries.
After the impact, police said Ardi was thrown off the motorcycle and onto the expressway. Authorities did not immediately say what caused him to lose control.
The crash took place in the early morning hours, when traffic was likely light but visibility can still be a factor. Police have not released any additional details about speed, road conditions or whether any other vehicles were involved.
Major Deegan Expressway lanes closed for about four hours
The collision forced officials to close all northbound lanes of the Major Deegan Expressway near the bridge. The shutdown lasted about four hours as the NYPD’s Collision Investigation Squad worked at the scene.
Investigators remained on site through the morning, documenting the crash and clearing the roadway. The lanes reopened at about 9 a.m., according to police.
The closure affected a busy corridor that carries drivers between upper Manhattan and the Bronx. Even a limited shutdown in that area can create delays, particularly during the morning commute.
What police have said about the victim
Police identified the rider as Shah Ahsan Ardi, 24, of Wakefield in the Bronx. That identification was released by the NYPD after the crash investigation began.
Authorities said he died from severe trauma after being ejected from the motorcycle. He was pronounced dead where the crash occurred, and police did not report that he was taken to a hospital.
No other injuries were reported in the collision. The NYPD has not said whether investigators expect to release further information about the crash.
Crash site sits near a heavily traveled Bronx crossing
The fatal collision happened near the Macombs Dam Bridge, close to one of the Bronx’s key road links into Manhattan. The location places the crash on a major stretch of highway that sees steady traffic from commuters and through drivers.
Because the motorcycle was headed northbound on the Major Deegan Expressway, investigators focused their work on that direction of travel. Police have not said whether roadway debris, mechanical problems or another factor may have played a role.
For motorists passing through the area, the incident meant several hours of disruption before the northbound lanes were restored. By late morning, the expressway had reopened and traffic flow resumed.
Investigation continues into how the fatal crash unfolded
The NYPD’s Collision Investigation Squad is handling the case and will determine what led to the wreck. So far, officers have confirmed only the basics: the rider was northbound, lost control, hit a guardrail and was thrown from the bike.
That sequence left Ardi with fatal injuries and brought emergency responders to the scene before dawn. Police have not announced any summonses, arrests or additional vehicles involved in the crash.
The department has also not provided any information about helmet use or whether surveillance footage, witness statements or vehicle inspection findings are part of the investigation. Those details may emerge as the inquiry continues.
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