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A New York State Trooper is recovering at home after a serious crash on the New York State Thruway in Schenectady County. The incident occurred on Friday (June 6) near Exit 26 when a semi-truck collided with the trooper's patrol car during a traffic stop. The impact caused the patrol car to hit the vehicle that had been pulled over, a Honda Odyssey, and threw the trooper over a guardrail and down an embankment.
The trooper was taken to Albany Medical Center with serious but non-life-threatening injuries. The driver and passenger of the Honda sustained minor injuries and were treated at St. Mary’s Hospital in Amsterdam. The crash resulted in the closure of all westbound lanes of the Thruway for several hours as emergency crews responded to the scene.
The accident is under investigation, and there is no word yet on whether charges will be filed. The incident serves as a reminder of the dangers law enforcement officers face daily and highlights the importance of New York's Move Over Law, which requires drivers to slow down and move over when approaching stopped emergency vehicles.
New York State Troopers PBA President Charles W. Murphy emphasized the importance of the law, stating, "It is imperative that when any vehicle is pulled to the side of the road, other motorists drive with caution and move over to protect those on the shoulder." The investigation into the crash is ongoing.