Woman, 32, Dies After ‘Exiting’ Moving Vehicle on N.Y.C. Highway, Getting Struck by Another Car

A woman was fatally struck by a car after police say she “exited” a moving vehicle on the Long Island Expressway in New York City.

On Saturday, Nov. 24, 32-year-old Priyanka Sewhani of Oyster Bay, N.Y., was traveling eastbound on the highway near Main Street in Queens — as a backseat passenger — when she “exited the moving vehicle” before being hit by another car, the New York Police Department confirmed to PEOPLE.

Sewhani was pronounced dead at the scene after EMS arrived, police said.

The NYPD initially responded to a call about Sewhani being struck “on the eastbound lanes” of the Long Island Expressway at 1:38 a.m.

After a preliminary investigation, the NYPD Highway District’s Collision Investigation Squad determined that she had been traveling in the backseat of a 2019 Volkswagen Passat, which was being driven by a 45-year-old man.

Multiple outlets including The New York Post and NBC New York reported that Sewhani was riding in the back of an Uber at the time of her death, citing law enforcement sources.

Uber did not immediately respond to PEOPLE’s request for comment on Sunday, Nov. 24.

After Sewhani exited the vehicle, she was “struck” by a second car, which was also traveling eastbound. The second vehicle’s driver “did not remain on scene” after “unknowingly” hitting her, per the NYPD.

According to The New York Post, Sewhani was hit in the left leg.

“The operator of the Volkswagen remained on scene and was not injured,” police said. “The investigation remains ongoing by the NYPD Highway District’s Collision Investigation Squad.”

All eastbound lanes of the expressway were temporarily closed during the investigation, per The New York Post.