A beloved Utah grandma sacrificed her life to save her grandson, shielding the boy with her body during a horrific wreck on the rain-slicked Long Island Expressway early Saturday.
Suzanne Nicholson, 60, wrapped herself around the 11-year-old as their doomed taxi skidded through the darkness — and that’s how rescue workers found her after cutting through the twisted wreckage.
“I’m still stunned,” her husband Dewayne Nicholson told the Daily News from Utah. “I’m waiting for someone to wake me up from this bad dream.”
Heroic grandmother Suzanne Nicholson protected her grandson during a horrific three-vehicle collision on the Long Island Expressway
The deadly three-vehicle crash, which also killed the cab driver, ended a planned Big Apple dream vacation before it ever began.
Nicholson, of Ogden, Utah, arrived at JFK Airport with grandson Gabriel Larson just two hours before the fatal 12:30 a.m. crash, where a garbage truck plowed into the cab, which had also just crashed.
Nicholson had sent her husband a text message shortly after landing: “Terrible flight, but we’re here.” She sent one final message after getting inside the cab for the fateful trip.
The woman and the boy were headed to their hotel to meet with Nicholson’s best friend and her grandson. The week’s itinerary included planned stops at Yankee Stadium, the Statue of Liberty and the American Museum of Natural History.
Both were instead rushed to Elmhurst General Hospital, where the heroic grandmother was pronounced dead and little Gabriel was in stable condition with an assortment of injuries.
The Larson boy was the only survivor inside the badly crushed cab, as driver Mohammed Hussain, 46, was also killed in the Elmhurst wreck.
First responders needed the Jaws of Life to hack their way inside to the three victims. Two cops on the scene told a family friend about Nicholson’s last-ditch effort to save the boy.
Gabriel Larson, 11, was the only survivor in the cab.
Gabriel was awake and responding to doctors, but unaware that his grandmother was dead. Suzanne Nicholson, the mother of three, had seven grandkids.
The New York trip was “going to be the most awesome thing on the face of the earth,” said Nicholson’s friend Irene Hacker, 59, of St. George, Utah. “We were going to be the coolest grandmothers.”
Hacker went to the hospital after police found her old ninth-grade pal’s cell phone. There were several unanswered incoming calls from Hacker, and police dialed her with the bad news.
“We have been here all night,” said Hacker, who broke the news to Nicholson’s husband of 37 years. “It was horrible.”
Hacker, who arrived a day earlier, said she knew something was wrong when her old friend stopped sending along travel updates.
“She texted, ‘We’re in the taxi, I will see you in a little while,’ ” Hacker recounted. “But she never came.”
Family members — including Gabriel’s mom and dad — were headed to New York, although an emotional Nicholson said he wouldn’t make the trip.
Dewayne 'Dewey' Nicholson, who lost his wife of 37 years, Suzanne, in the crash, reflects at his home in South Ogden, Utah.
“I have arrangements to make here,” he said. “My wife loved New York. She was planning this for three months. She was really excited.”
Suzanne Nicholson traveled to New York once a year and wanted to share the experience with her grandson. The two flew out of Salt Lake City Friday evening.
The accident began when the taxi clipped the back end of a 1995 gray Porsche in the left lane of the highway on a rainy night, cops said.
The Porsche rolled over and landed on the driver’s side in the same lane, while the taxi flipped on its side and careened into the right lane.
The garbage truck then slammed directly into the cab with lethal impact. The truck driver was crying and shaking on the side of the expressway after the wreck, two officers told Hacker.
No charges were filed against the 61-year-old truck driver. Both he and the Porsche driver escaped injury.
Gabriel suffered broken ribs, a fractured collarbone, a punctured lung and a concussion, according to family and friends.
Despite the myriad injuries, the boy’s prognosis “was sounding pretty positive,” said Nicholson. “The last I heard he was stable, and my daughter’s on her way there now.”
The trip was planned as a reward for the boys’ academic achievement in a school competition called “Give Me Liberty.”
The two youngsters were honored for their knowledge of the Presidents, states, state capitals and the Gettysburg Address.
The cabbie’s family was also devastated by the deadly crash that left behind a widow with two young sons — one age 9, the other just 14 months old.
Hussain, an immigrant from Bangladesh with 20 years experience as a cabbie, was planning a Disney World trip for the family one day before his death.
Cabbie Mohammed Hussain, who was killed in LIE wreck, is shown in 2003 family photo with his wife, Rohima, and son Adil.
“Life with him has been much better than anyone can say,” said his widow, Rohima Hussain. “I’m empty without him.”
Cousin Shirin Rashed said Hussain typically wouldn’t work if the weather was wet, but he was likely trying to make up for time lost at a Boston wedding last week.
“He hates rain,” said Rashed, 40, as the family gathered to mourn at the dead man’s Queens home. “He usually stays home on a rainy day.”
I know God will watch over this family during this difficult time. When I was around 10 years old in 1965 I flew alone from upstate New York(I think Auburn New York)to Orlando, Florida. I transfered planes in New York City. There were different terminals for each airline and I had to take a taxi from one terminal to another. I sat in the back seat all alone during my ride. You never know when something like this can happen to anybody. Nine years ago I had just moved into an apartment here near down town Salt Lake City. The furnace didn’t work. The apartment maintance man fixed it. After he fixed it I came home. I turned the thermostate up to around 75. I then left and went to the library. After I left the library I thought maybe I would go to the Dollar theater in Suger House, but after a minute or two I decided not to, so I returned to my apartment. When I opened the door the smell of gas was very strong. I stood there a minute smelling just to make sure. Next I left, leaving the door open. I went into the parking lot and called my sister. I then called the gas company. The man there told me to call the fire department. He also screamed at me to make sure no one was near the building. I knocked on the other apartment doors, only one person was home, a Japaese man, he didn’t understand what I was saying, he didn’t know english and he would not come out. The fire department truck showed up a few minutes later with sirens blarring. Two firemen went inside my apartment with me following. The one firement knealed down and turned off the gas on the furnace. The gas was just pouring out of it. I’m sure not going to the Dollar theater was the best dicision I have ever made. Life is so short, we just never know when it is out time. God bless you during this difficult time.
This msg is for drvier with brian to anaylize.
I know this would happen one day when I see these driver driving so fast . I hope this tragic accident can bring to some maniac taxi driver. how can one drive so fast on a rainy day? do you think you are the best driver of the whole universe? if you think you can drive the same way as you were driving back in your original country, don’t drive here. there are a reason all U.S. highway post a speed limit sign. you are putting other people’s life at risk. what is your rush? even at JFK taxi lot going to the terminal. do you have a good reason acceptable by the public that you can speed? so what you want to make a few extra buck at the end of the day, you A$$hoLe do not believe tomorrow can be a better day, right? all you need is one tragic accident like this one, and you will end your american dream for good. not only that, you also leave your family living in pain and hardship for the rest of their life as well as the passengers. look at the driver’s family photo, it is a good thing he is killed. what if he is not killed and suffer injury like paralized from the neck down? think about it before all you A$$hole drive like a maniac. think about your family next time before you put pressure to the gas peddle.
The way trash truck drivers operate their trucks is extremely unsafe. I had never seen cops giving them tickets. I knew one day they are going to have accidents like this. On a rainy day, you always slow down especially on a heavy truck like garbage trucks. Accidents happen, but trucks usually cause deadly results.
Yes, accidents do happen but in Manh it’s mostly trying to avoid accidents with maniac yellow cabs cutting across 4 lanes of traffic to cut off another cabbie trying to get a fare. You ever see the chaos -behind- a cabbie trying to go east on a street that goes south? Cars in other lanes are now avoiding the cabbie, the car -behind- the cabbie, the car -next- to the car behind the cabbie and the cars on the Brooklyn Bridge and Holland Tunnel (massive chain reaction…ha-ha). Ever see the cabbie who gets cut off by another one? They both start zipping in and out of traffic. One chasing another with murder in his eyes and acid in his mouth. We all are trying to make money but it seems that courtesy among drivers is as lost as the Dead Sea Scrolls. It’s so bad that at red lights I don’t bother to look at the driver in the next lane over. On the plus side there are still some quality drivers out there who will give a driver stranded behind a double parked car the right of way. When it happens for me I roll my window down and give the courteous driver a friendly wave. Usually many accidents are fender benders or a tap on the side. I do remember seeing an SUV wrapped around a poll on the middle divider on Park Ave S a few Friday nights ago and wondered if it was a cabbie that put him up there.) Despite our bad driving habits (no signals when turning, turning left/right from the center lane, passing on the right from curb side lane at the red light, , driving in two lanes and REFUSE to move over, refuse to signal a left turn on a 2-way street until AFTER the light changes, etc, etc) we are a pretty good bunch of drivers. Many of us are reckless and some of us are dangerous and a few of us are SUICIDAL, yet we somehow make it home to our families. I hope it will always be that way for you all.
May the Universal Powers That Be take Suzanne Nicholson and Mohammed Hussain into its bosom and comfort them until they are needed again.
RIP to our fellow driver.
What a tragedy! my condolence and prayers goes to all the families of the deceased. But I’d like to point out that there are many cheap and/or irresponsible drivers that do not seem to realize how important it is to have good tires, especially in a NYC taxicab. I see so many taxis with very worn out tires, And, even when they are forced to change a blown out tire they replaced it with another used tire almost just as bad, and all mixed up with different brand tires. Because of this negligence so many accidents happen. And there might even be some driver who witch the tires with their friends before they go for inspection, and then switch them back with the same worn out tires so they can save a little money or something. Take my advice all you drivers. If your tires are not in good condition, replace them immediately with all new tires, and don’t mix different brand tires. Also, make sure that the tires are all balanced and the weel alignment is straight. Gd.luck.
With all that said above, if the mayor or someone can do something about the damn lease cabbbies pay to rent the damn cab , may be we can save some accidents, may be some cabbies dont have to cut each other off to make some money or drive fast to get back to the airport or work under so much preassure ……Now with gas prices so high, I know some cabbies have to make $ 170 just to cover the cost and whatever they make after is to keep, that’s why I noticed when the business is slow, cabbies are going crazy . Most people will spend 10 bucks extra on a drink but paying little more for a cab is out of question….
He clipped the rear end of the Porsche. Maybe if he didnt tailgate in the rain he would be home now and gran would be having a good time. Disappointed is right. The drivers drive like crazy to get to a terminal. I dont and I get the horn and dirty looks. The blame for this falls squarely on the lap of the TLC for allowing anyone to drive a cab right off the plane. Maybe there should be a residence requirement for a year or two in this country instead of a stupid critical driver program. I have never been suspended but it could easily happen with a few minor tickets. Something has to be done with these bad drivers which a lot of cabbies are. If you dont believe me just go to JFK and watch the Indy 500 to a terminal. I dont have the answer but the TLC must make driving a decent paying job again to get rid of these guys. This is a very sad story. My heart goes out to all the families involved.
I come out from the taxi holding lot with my ticket for terminal 3….but by the time I come close to 1st traffic light….it’s was like formula 1 race…I ended up behind…some cars what was behind me in the lot…and I don’t want to say anything about out beloved manhattan street…you have to watch it..
According to statistics NYC taxi is the safest in the world. Everybody likes to blame taxi drivers for all the accidents when cabs are involved, but in reality its others people foll. Who is going to drive old Porshe? Mature, well to do person? Maybe the driver of the Porshe wanted to ‘teach a lesson of an immigrant cabbie by braking in front of him? “It’s a general attitude of the public toward cab drivers which brings these tragedies It’s time to overhaul the taxi industry, bring back respect to drivers, Mohamed had 20 years expirience driving a cab. He clipped Porshe? I don’t believe it. My condolences to the relatives of the deceased.
The examples FPCabbie and Racer-X made deal with empty cabs trying to get a fare. Its part of the job, so what? When cabbies do get a fare, they try to drive carefully, especially when kid is inside. Mahamed was on his last trip from JFK with the good job. No reason to rush. A whole story is fishy. Just to change front pads on that old peace of junk must cost $10k Cops must examine that Porshe for mechanical defects. I hope the truth will come out.
I drove a taxi to fill the time. I can feel that my taxi is difficult to control. Taxi’s are used a lot by many drivers. Rain, water can not clean the windshield. Because the window is closed, so foggy windshield. Situation that makes me cautious to drive. Passengers screamed loudly and cruelly, hurry up. Are you not able to drive? Do you want to rob my money? I just smiled even feel sad. God knows how many passengers who fled and did not pay the fare. There also are using credit cards over the limit, then pretend credit card machine did not work? Do not cursing anyone, let’s live in peace. Rest In Peace Suzanne Nicholson and Hussain. Gabriel get well soon.
First and foremost I would like to express my prayers to both Nicholson and Mohammed and most importantly to their loved ones they have left behind. Hope they find happiness again!
Reading the article, it is sad to hear the story of the courageous grandmother. Truly she is an inspiration as love can save someone’s life. What is even sadder is that the cabbie’s story has a negative connation and given a backseat due to the lack of emphasis on his story, implicating use of words and “point the finger” attitude. We cannot speculate and vindicate blame without knowing the actual events, as there are always two sides to a story. Personally one forgets that a sports car and a garbage truck were also involved so it leaves to beckon whether they caused or affected the sad and unfortunate aftermath of the accident.
Bottom line we need to remember that TWO souls were lost so let not our judgemental, stereotypical and biased comments and reports bare burden on the souls sadly departed and the souls of their loved ones left behind. Wish them peace, rather than ill hearted comments defaming dead souls.
I can see some of you guys are making tons of excuse for yourself for speeding. you all know the cost of taking a taxi out on the road and it will not change. if you cannot make it , get the hell out. go do something else. who is stopping you? but don’t make excuse to speed, no one want you as a colleague on the road to endanger other’s life. some of the day shift driver gross 100,000 last year, 4 to 4. 6 days. this business is a non stop hacking on the street, once they are in the car , they don’t get out until finish. except go to the bathroom. 15 minute for lunch. they do not hang around in hotel and airport to waste time. time is money. if you cannot handle this kind of hacking, change your job. this is not for you.
if some one have 20 years of driving experience, they will automatically slow down at least 10 mph on rainy day, even more on snow, this rule is apply to all drivers, residential or commercial. crazy driver not only apply to taxi driver, also private car. I have seen private car speeding and crash , the car split in 1/2, 4 people in the car got killed instantly. these are the type of people you have to watch out for.
and you know what? even the garage lower the leases, you will speed. it is the attitude of the person who think they are the best of all driver and undefeatable. so, slow down, you have tons of resposiblites to your families. god bless you all.
I agree with you Sunman…20 years experience and get into a fatal accident? It sounds very fishy; sounds like the Porsche had something to do with it. Every day and night I see people instigating cab drivers by tail gaiting them and cutting them off, and for what? We are doing a very hard stressful job. In my opinion, I stop driving once I see the white lines pop out to my face!
Let me tell you guys what happened Mr Mohammed got a fair to Astoria queens He decided to go to LGA to pick a fair when he went there all the lots were full he decided to comeback to the city one of his friend who got a fare in LI told him to wait he is going to JFK if the lot was empty he could join him at Kennedy anyway the friend called Mohammed and told him there is only 2 lines at JFK Mohammed went there picked up the last fare of his life what I heard from his friends that there was a big puddle of water the Porsche probably couldn’t get by he applied brake Mohammed was behind him couldn’t stop on time rear ended the Porsche ,Back side of the Porsche is low he went over it and flipped upside down on the east bound lane of LIE but his car was facing westbound the garbage truck couldn’t stop .My friend looked at Mr Mohammed’s dead body before his burial he had a black spot on his right forehead Guys I don’t know this individual but all his friend told he was a very safe driver he and his Brother-in-law owned the Medallion . A cabbie driving for 20 yrs don’t drive recklessly you get old you slow down ,yes the are thousand of reckless cab drivers in NY but not all certainly not someone who is been doing that for two decades .Have respect for someone who did the same thing as well all do its just an accident he was at the wrong place at the wrong time .RIP to all who lost their life.I am a Cab driver i do this for 9 yrs hope this never happens to anybody of my fellow cabbies.
rest in peace
The New York State Supreme Court issued a temporary restraining order (TRO) to suspend implementation of the street hail livery program. This order is in response to three lawsuits filed by the yellow taxi industry. The judge has said he will attempt to resolve all pending motions quickly and bring the issue to a final resolution. ……I wonder if they will hold up fare increase ???
This is roughly income taxi driver : 300 usd per day, expenses (lease, gas, tol, mta) 180 usd, take home 120 usd (before tax, ticket, accident). Gross a week, 6 day, 1800 usd. A year, 52 week, 93,600 usd. For expenses 56, 160 usd. Take home 37,440 usd (before tax, ticket, accident and got robed with TLC, police and garage). No sick day, no vacation, no medicaid, no pension. Who got profit ??? Taxi driver only a modern slave with a big dream. Very tragic.
Hope springs eternal in the hearts of NYC cabbies, but cabbies must be realistic. Has any past court decision ever fallen on the side of the cabbies? It is always the zillionaires the court decides for. If I am wrong, please tell me. All it takes is the zillionaire to get connected to Rogoff at Bernard Baruch, and poof, it is all over. [Although it now seems in vogue for the justices to give a little attention to those poor cabbies, to make them think they have a chance and were considered LOL, but in the end, surprise, cabbies lost.
Thank you cabbie for letting us know the real story behind Mr Mohammed’s fatal accident. I didn’t want to buy the “crazy cab driver driving fast and rear ending a Porsche story”. Simply due to the fact he’s been driving for 20yrs, drive his own car, family man. All point towards a safe driver.
May Mr. Mohammed rest in peace, and Allah bring peace and happiness back into his families life, Inshallah the kids he leaves behind will one day grow up too make their hard working father proud. It is very sad too see one of our brothers pass away like this. Too all my follow brothers out their please be careful you can be the best driver in the world but never know about the one next too you.
Check this out, another, and see if you want this guy on the road or not. Med# 9T39. This is another accident like the one on LIE. http://newyork.cbslocal.com/2012/06/18/1-seriously-hurt-after-school-bus-collides-with-cab-overturns-in-queens/
Crazy dude! -Thanks for the weblink and the video. -This cab 9-T-39 was one of the thousands cabs with L-shaped partition! Does your cab have it too?
May be its not the final solution: but it could help. Safe driving. Good condition of car, no stress or pressure, reduction of lease. Many of garage has very old and very used cars…. they just temporary fix for the inspection. I had several time experienced with cab with something wrong… like worn tires,,, not in rite allingment, loose stering (jump here and there on bumbs) worn out wripper (which could be obstacles in rainy day)… when i ask the garage to switch for better, always ask to wait,,,, and wait and finally you got wasted your time for approx hour or so…… lease is one thing…. which really gives us pressure to meet the fare… its true that first we have to make round $170 just to pay for shift lease and the gas…. after that we get something in our pocket…. and those garage cabs eats lots of gas… we all know that very well.
Its easy to say get another job, when you put your feet in our shoes then you will know Mayor of city, all these raising medallion price… make some rules… stop increase medallion price… limit to own medallions per person…
I want to say a lot more ……
Listen Think About It Guys What If This Was Your Dang Family Escpecially You Disappointed Its Not A Good Thing The Guy Is Flippen Dead You Stupid This Was My Best Friends Uncle. Yeah Soo Think Before You Speak. She Loved Him And I Bet You Would Have Been Sad So STFU Disappointed. I Mean Seriously In No Way Is It Good That He Died Because Even Though He Would Have Been Injured He Still Would Have Been Living. So Let It Happen To One Of Your Family Members And You Get Back Wiith Me
God Bless This Family