NY State Police trooper struck while assisting a disabled motorist on the Thruway

February 9, 2026

Lancaster, NY

New York State Police trooper struck while assisting a disabled motorist on the Thruway

Press Release

Shortly before 2:00 a.m. on February 7, 2026, two New York State Police troopers were outside their patrol car on the left shoulder of the Thruway westbound in Lancaster, Erie County, assisting a disabled motorist. A passing Kia sedan, operated by Emily Elizabeth Lopez-Rangel, age 22, of Batavia, spun out, ending up facing eastbound and striking the rear of the parked patrol car, which had its emergency lights activated. The patrol car got pushed into one of the troopers, causing her to be thrown into the snow off the shoulder of the road. The trooper was transported to Erie County Medical Center with non-life-threatening injuries and later released. Lopez-Rangel and her passenger were evaluated by first responders at the scene and declined treatment or transportation to the hospital. Lopez-Rangel showed no signs of drug or alcohol impairment; the crash was the result of unsafe driving for the conditions. Lopez-Rangel was issued several citations for vehicle and traffic law violations.

This is the second incident of a trooper being struck on the Thruway in the past two weeks. The New York State Police reminds drivers that New York’s Move Over Law requires motorists to slow down, be alert, and move over when safely possible for all vehicles stopped along the road. In 2025, more than 2,500 tickets were issued for Move Over Law violations along the NYS Thruway. Additionally, be alert to poor visibility and deteriorating road conditions that are a part of winter weather and adjust your driving accordingly.