A routine roadside assist on the New York State Thruway turned violent when a passing car spun out and slammed into a parked State Police patrol vehicle in Erie County.
Shortly before 2 a.m. on Feb. 7, two New York State Police troopers stood outside their patrol car on the left shoulder of the westbound Thruway in Lancaster while helping a disabled motorist, police said.
A Kia sedan traveling westbound lost control, spun, and struck the rear of the patrol car, which had its emergency lights activated. The impact pushed the patrol vehicle into one of the troopers, throwing her into the snow off the shoulder of the road.
Police later identified the driver as Emily Elizabeth Lopez-Rangel, 22, of Batavia.
The injured trooper was taken to Erie County Medical Center with non-life-threatening injuries and was later released. Lopez-Rangel and her passenger were checked by first responders at the scene and declined medical treatment.
State Police said Lopez-Rangel showed no signs of drug or alcohol impairment. Investigators determined the crash was caused by unsafe driving for the road conditions. She received multiple citations for vehicle and traffic law violations.
State Police said this was the second time in two weeks that a trooper was struck on the Thruway. Officials used the incident to remind drivers about New York’s Move Over Law, which requires motorists to slow down and move over when safely possible for emergency and roadside vehicles.
In 2025, more than 2,500 tickets were issued for Move Over Law violations along the Thruway, State Police said. Troopers also urged drivers to stay alert during winter weather and adjust speeds for poor visibility and deteriorating road conditions.