A New York State Trooper was injured late one night while standing outside his vehicle on a Thruway ramp in West Seneca, assisting a driver whose car had broken down. A pickup truck left the roadway, struck an embankment, and hit the trooper directly. He was taken to Erie County Medical Center and later released, but the incident is a reminder of how quickly a roadside stop can turn dangerous.
At Hurwitz, Whitcher & Molloy, we’ve represented clients across Western New York who were hurt while stopped on the shoulder, whether they were drivers, passengers, or first responders. These cases often involve more than a simple fender bender. They raise questions about impairment, negligence, and who bears responsibility when someone is struck outside their vehicle.
What Happened on the Thruway Ramp
According to state police, the trooper was standing near the westbound Exit 54 ramp around 10 p.m. when the pickup went off the left shoulder and into a snow embankment. Investigators say the driver, a 34-year-old Buffalo man, showed signs of impairment at the scene. A breath test administered later at the State Police barracks reportedly measured his blood alcohol content at 0.06%, and a Drug Recognition Expert noted additional indicators consistent with alleged drug use.
He now faces vehicular assault charges along with several vehicle and traffic violations. These charges matter for the criminal case. But for anyone hurt in a similar situation, there’s a separate track entirely: the civil side, where compensation for medical bills, lost income, and long-term harm gets decided.
Why Roadside Stops Carry Real Risk
Shoulder and ramp areas feel safe compared to a live traffic lane. But a vehicle traveling at highway speed needs very little deviation to strike someone standing just a few feet off the road. That’s precisely why New York’s Move Over Law exists. It requires drivers approaching a stopped emergency vehicle, tow truck, or disabled car to slow down and shift lanes when it’s safe to do so. According to the New York State Police, this incident marked the second time in a two-week span that a trooper was struck while working along the Thruway, and last year alone, more than 2,500 tickets were written for Move Over Law violations on the Thruway.
People who get hurt during roadside stops in West Seneca often share a few common circumstances:
- Standing outside a disabled vehicle waiting on a tow
- Assisting someone else who broke down
- Stopped briefly on a shoulder or ramp during low-visibility hours
- Struck by a driver who was distracted, impaired, or simply not paying attention
Any one of these situations can leave a person with serious injuries and a long recovery ahead, even when the crash itself lasted only a second or two.
Who Can Be Held Responsible
Liability in these cases usually comes down to driver conduct. Was the driver impaired? Distracted? Speeding for conditions? Evidence like breath test results, dashcam footage, and witness statements from police often shape how a claim gets resolved. And while this particular case involves a trooper, the same legal principles apply to any West Seneca resident struck while stopped along a road or ramp.
Steps to Take After a Roadside Collision
If you or someone you know is ever injured in a similar incident, a few things can protect your case early on:
- Seek medical evaluation immediately, even if injuries seem minor at first
- Request a copy of the police report once it’s filed
- Photograph the scene, vehicle damage, and any visible injuries
- Avoid giving recorded statements to insurance adjusters without guidance
For anyone in West Seneca dealing with the aftermath of a roadside crash, speaking with a West Seneca, NY personal injury lawyer can help clarify what compensation may be available and what the next steps should look like. Our team is available to review the details of your situation and explain your options plainly, without pressure or guesswork.