DJ Father Shaheed, of the New Jersey hip hop collective Poor Righteous Teachers, died in a motorcycle accident Monday (May 26) afternoon. 

Shaheed, born Scott Phillips, was killed on impact after his motorcycle slammed into a tree on New York's Sprain Brook Parkway, according to Westchester News 12. He was 45 years old.

The fatal accident occurred around 12:30 p.m. local time when another motorcyclist, 24-year-old Clifford Perkins, crashed into a car, causing it to spin out and hit a guardrail. The vehicle then spun back across the lane, striking Shaheed, who careened into a tree. Both motorcycles caught on fire after the accident. 

Perkins was hospitalized and remains in critical condition.

Authorities say the fatal crash occurred during heavy traffic, likely brought on by the holiday weekend. They are looking for witnesses to gather more information as they continue an investigation into the tragedy.

Shaheed and the Poor Righteous Teachers are best known for the track "Rock Dis Funky Joint," released in 1990.

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(Photo: BMG Records)