Ingrid Arcuik, an employee with North Shore-LIJ Health System’s department of surgery at 1999 Marcus Avenue in New Hyde Park, died Friday when she hit a parked tow truck on the Clearview Expressway on her way home from work. She was 51.
Arcuik, a resident of Bayside, Queens, was driving a 2007 Dodge northbound on the expressway at about 12:30 p.m. when she hit a Peterbilt tow truck that was parked on the shoulder, according to New York City police.
Arcuik was pronounced dead at the scene, police said.
Police said they were unable to confirm how fast Arcuik was driving and that the investigation was still ongoing.
The driver of the tow truck was rushed to Long Island Jewish Medical Center with minor injuries, police said.
A memorial service for Arcuik was held at 1999 Marcus Avenue by her co-workers, who remembered her as a kind and generous woman.
“She was like a mother,” said an employee at 1999 Marcus Avenue who knew Arcuik. “She would always send you an e-mail to uplift your day.”
The employee, who asked not to be identified, said Arcuik would never complain about anything going on in her life throughout the 10 years she worked with the health system.
“She didn’t like to complain about the situation she was in,” the employee said. “If you would go to her and complain about your life she’d tell you not to worry about it.”
Arucuik, who grew up in the Castle Hill section of the Bronx, was also remembered as someone who would talk about her children, a son and a daughter, all the time.
“She always spoke about them,” the employee said. “They were her pride and joy.”
In addition to her children, Arcuik is survived by a sister.
Reach reporter Anthony O’Reilly by e-mail at aoreilly@theislandnow.com, by phone at 516.307.1045 x203 or on Twitter @reilly_anthony. Also follow us on Facebook at facebook.com/theislandnow.
