Multi-Vehicle Crash on Southern State Parkway Leads to DWI Arrest After Suspect Flees Scene
LONG ISLAND, NY – A Brooklyn man was arrested on multiple charges, including driving while intoxicated, after a multi-vehicle collision on the Southern State Parkway early Friday morning that damaged a New York State Police patrol car and injured multiple parties.
The incident began around 3:30 AM on May 23rd, 2025, when New York State Troopers responded to a single-car accident involving a 2020 Jeep Grand Cherokee on the Southern State Parkway, just east of the Belt Parkway. The disabled vehicle was blocking the right lane, prompting troopers to position their marked patrol car behind it with emergency lights activated and deploy flares for traffic safety.
While troopers were outside their vehicle managing the scene, a 2024 black BMW 530 struck an uninvolved 2023 Toyota Camry, causing a chain reaction collision. The impact sent the Camry into the state police patrol car, resulting in significant damage. The BMW then continued forward and struck the original disabled Jeep Grand Cherokee.
Following the collision, the BMW’s operator attempted to flee the scene on foot but was quickly apprehended by the responding troopers. During questioning, the suspect provided false identification information and displayed clear signs of intoxication, according to police reports.
Investigation revealed the suspect’s true identity as Messiah Robinson, 23, of Brooklyn. A background check uncovered that Robinson had an active bench warrant issued by the NYPD for Menacing a Police Officer. Robinson refused both breath testing and Standardized Field Sobriety tests.
Robinson faces multiple charges including:
- Driving While Intoxicated
- Reckless Endangerment in the Second Degree
- Criminal Impersonation in the Second Degree
- Numerous Vehicle and Traffic Law violations
He is scheduled to appear in Nassau 1st District Court on June 13th.
The incident occurred as New York enters what traffic safety officials call the “100 Deadliest Days of Summer,” the period between Memorial Day and Labor Day when fatal crashes historically spike due to increased travel and impaired driving.
“This incident serves as a stark reminder of the serious and shared responsibility of driving,” state police officials stated. “If you are under the influence of alcohol or any substance that impairs judgment, choose an alternative method of transportation. Plan to have a designated driver, call or order a ride share, or avoid driving entirely if you are not able to do so safely. Do NOT put the lives of others at risk because of your selfish decisions.”
No information was immediately available regarding injuries to the occupants of the other vehicles involved.
