A BMW driver has been charged with murder and possession of a weapon — his vehicle — in a fiery road rage crash that killed a 55-year-old motorcyclist in Queens, police and NYPD sources said Friday.
Jorden Rosen, 42, refused to talk to police when they arrived at the scene of the deadly Rego Park crash on April 5, but investigators built the case against him with a key piece of evidence — the helmet cam worn by victim William McField, sources said.
The cam captured a road rage confrontation that started as the pair were exiting the Long Island Expressway.
The suspect, who was recently indicted, surrendered to police Friday morning at the 112th Precinct with his lawyer by his side and was later arraigned on murder and criminal possession of a weapon charges.
“Our roadways are not the place to settle disputes,” said Queens DA Melinda Katz. “As alleged, this defendant plowed his BMW SUV into a motorcyclist shortly after the two had a minor collision on the Long Island Expressway. As a result of Jorden Rosen’s actions, the motorcycle burst into flames and the driver was killed.”
Shocking video from the other side of Woodhaven Blvd., near 60th Drive, shows the BMW rear-ending the KTM motorcycle then running over the victim as the BMW’s front end rises up.
The motorcycle catches fire immediately after the collision, with the victim dying at the scene. The BMW also caught fire but was not incinerated.
Rosen, who crashed into a Mazda driven by a 41-year-old woman after striking McField, according to cops, was taken to Long Island Jewish Medical Center and treated for minor injuries. The woman and her passenger were not hurt.
The crash happened at 9:22 a.m. but investigators believe it started minutes earlier as Rosen and McField were exiting the eastbound Long Island Expressway.
Sources said McField’s helmet cam captured some of the road rage argument between him and Rosen.
They were both seen running the red light as they turned onto the southbound side of Woodhaven Blvd., with McField trying to get away from Rosen, sources said.
Rosen, who lives in Oceanside, L.I., has no prior arrests, though he has been given summonses three times for speeding and once for driving the wrong way, sources said.
Obtained by Daily News
Frames from a video show a BMW, allegedly driven by Jordan Rosen, rear-ending motorcyclist William McField in Rego Park, Queens on April 5, 2025, before the motorcycle bursts into flames (right). (Obtained by Daily News)
A friend of the victim said McField was more than a motorcycle rider and enthusiast. McField participated in charity motorcycle events that raised money for cancer victims, autism and needy families.
“He was a really good guy,” said Charlie Cabrera, owner of Charlie’s Chop Shop in Astoria. “No issues. No drama. He was always there to support people. He helped us with a bunch of charities we had.
“Every year we lose someone, an accident or something, but this one really hit home. He was a really good friend of mine. It’s a dangerous sport. I’m really curious to see exactly what happened. There’s no excuse for it.”
Cabrera advised other motorcycle riders to avoid confrontations.
“It’s not worth it,” he said. “You can’t beat a 5- to 6,000-pound vehicle. I know people go into rages and stuff like that, but there’s nothing you can do to stop a vehicle.”
Originally Published: April 25, 2025 at 10:45 AM EDT
