TROOPER CRUSHED Between Two Vehicles During Stop

Police officer with patrol car and flashing lights.

A New York State trooper narrowly escaped serious injury when a Connecticut driver plowed into a patrol car during a routine traffic stop, underscoring the daily dangers law enforcement faces while protecting communities from reckless motorists.

Story Snapshot

Trooper struck during early morning traffic stop on NY Thruway after rear-end collision pushed patrol car forward
Kevin Ariel Cunache Moyolema, 24, of Connecticut, crashed 2007 Chevy Suburban into patrol vehicle at 5 a.m.
Injured trooper treated for minor injuries at Westchester Medical Center and released same day
Incident highlights ongoing risks to law enforcement during roadside operations as investigation continues

Collision During Active Traffic Stop

On March 15, 2026, two New York State Police troopers from Troop T conducted a traffic stop on a 2025 Mercedes sedan driven by Siiyer W. Walker, 52, of Connecticut, along the right shoulder of the New York State Thruway in Mamaroneck, Westchester County. At approximately 5:00 a.m., while both troopers stood near the Mercedes, Kevin Ariel Cunache Moyolema, 24, also of Connecticut, failed to notice the stopped vehicles ahead and rear-ended the patrol car with his 2007 Chevy Suburban. The impact forced the patrol vehicle forward into the Mercedes and struck one trooper standing nearby.

TROOPER STRUCK: A New York State trooper is recovering after a patrol car was hit from behind during a traffic stop on the Thruway.

The collision in Mamaroneck pushed the cruiser into the vehicle that was pulled over, taking down the trooper in the process.

The officer… pic.twitter.com/qCze2NVrGA

— Fox News (@FoxNews) March 20, 2026

Trooper Sustains Minor Injuries

Emergency medical services transported the injured trooper to Westchester Medical Center, where he received treatment for minor injuries before being released the same day. Moyolema also went to the hospital for evaluation of minor body pain. Medical personnel evaluated Walker at the scene, but he declined transport to the hospital. The second trooper on scene remained unharmed during the collision. New York State Police confirmed all parties involved sustained only minor injuries, though the incident could have resulted in far more serious consequences given the force of the impact and the trooper’s vulnerable position outside his vehicle.

Pattern of Roadside Dangers for Troopers

This incident reflects a disturbing pattern of threats to law enforcement officers conducting routine roadside duties. Just one month earlier, on February 13, 2026, in Duane, New York, Trooper Bailey Martin sustained non-life-threatening injuries when a driver ran a stop sign and struck her while she investigated another accident outside her patrol vehicle. These recurring incidents demonstrate the constant vulnerability officers face while performing basic traffic enforcement—duties essential to public safety that too often go unappreciated until tragedy strikes. The early morning timing of the Mamaroneck collision suggests possible driver fatigue or inattention, common factors in rear-end crashes on high-traffic corridors like the Thruway.

Investigation Continues Without Charges Filed

New York State Police continue investigating the collision, with Troop T Commander Major Brian T. Ferrone and Public Information Officer Krista Montie overseeing the probe. As of current reports, no charges have been filed against Moyolema, though investigators will likely examine whether citations for following too closely or failure to exercise due care are warranted. The investigation will determine the exact cause of Moyolema’s failure to avoid the clearly visible emergency vehicles with activated lights on the Thruway shoulder. New York State law requires drivers to move over or slow down when approaching emergency vehicles—a common-sense protection that apparently failed in this case, putting an officer’s life at risk.

Highway Safety and Officer Protection

The New York State Thruway in Westchester County serves as a critical high-traffic corridor connecting commuters to New York City, making it prone to congestion and rear-end collisions, particularly during reduced visibility hours. State troopers routinely conduct traffic enforcement along this stretch, exposing them to dangers from inattentive or fatigued drivers. This incident may prompt New York State Police to review safety protocols for highway traffic stops and consider additional protective measures such as enhanced rear-end collision alert systems for patrol vehicles. Law enforcement officers deserve adequate protection while they work to keep our roads safe from dangerous drivers who threaten everyone’s security through negligence and carelessness.