Newly released body camera footage captures the moment a New York State trooper was hit during a chain-reaction crash while conducting a traffic stop on the Thruway in Mamaroneck, Westchester County, about 25 miles northeast of Manhattan.

Authorities say a 2007 Chevy Suburban rear-ended a state police patrol car shortly after 5:00 a.m. on March 15, 2026, pushing it into a stopped 2025 Mercedes sedan and striking one of two troopers at the scene, who was transported to Westchester Medical Center with minor injuries and later released.

The incident unfolded in the early morning hours when two New York State Police troopers pulled over a 2025 Mercedes sedan along the right shoulder of the Thruway in the town of Mamaroneck. The Mercedes was operated by Siiyer W. Walker, 52, of Connecticut. Troopers did not disclose the reason for the traffic stop.

Body Camera Captures the Frightening Moment of Impact

In the body camera footage, one trooper appears to be administering what looks like a cognitive test on Walker when the collision suddenly occurs. Without warning, a 2007 Chevy Suburban driven by Kevin Ariel Cunache Moyolema, 24, also of Connecticut, slammed into the rear of the parked patrol car. The force of the impact pushed the patrol vehicle forward into the Mercedes, as Breitbart reports.

The Mercedes then struck one of the two troopers standing nearby. The other trooper, who was not hit, can be heard in the footage exclaiming profanely in apparent disbelief. The entire sequence happened in a matter of seconds, leaving little time for either trooper to react.

This week, New York State Police released an official statement describing the events of the crash alongside the body camera video. The footage provides a firsthand look at how quickly a routine roadside encounter can turn dangerous. The release of the video has drawn significant attention to the risks law enforcement officers face during seemingly ordinary duties.

Injuries Reported and Medical Treatment Provided

The trooper who was struck was transported to Westchester Medical Center, where he was treated for minor injuries. He was later released from the hospital. The second trooper at the scene escaped physical harm.

Moyolema, the driver of the Suburban, was also taken to Westchester Medical Center for evaluation of minor body pain. Walker, the driver of the Mercedes, was evaluated by emergency medical services at the scene but declined transport to a hospital. Additional footage released by police shows the uninjured trooper removing Moyolema from the Chevrolet and sitting him on the roadside.

The incident has renewed discussion about the dangers that officers face when conducting stops along busy highways. Critics of current roadside safety protocols argue that more must be done to protect both law enforcement and civilian drivers in high-speed corridors. Supporters of expanded safety measures point to incidents like this one as evidence that existing protections are insufficient.

Highway Traffic Stops Remain Among the Most Dangerous Police Duties

Traffic stops along major highways have long been considered one of the most perilous aspects of police work. Officers are forced to stand mere feet from vehicles traveling at high speeds, often in low-visibility conditions. The pre-dawn timing of this particular stop — shortly after 5:00 a.m. — likely compounded the danger.

The Thruway, one of the busiest interstate corridors in the northeastern United States, sees heavy traffic at all hours. Even on the shoulder, parked vehicles and personnel are vulnerable to distracted, fatigued, or impaired drivers. This incident serves as a stark reminder that the shoulder of a highway is never a truly safe place to stand.

Authorities have not yet released details about any charges filed against Moyolema in connection with the crash. It also remains unclear what conditions may have contributed to the Suburban striking the patrol car. An investigation into the cause of the collision is presumably ongoing.

Lessons to Learn

1. When passing emergency vehicles or any stopped cars on the shoulder of a highway, drivers should slow down and move over to an adjacent lane whenever possible. Most states, including New York, have "Move Over" laws specifically designed to protect law enforcement and roadside workers from exactly this type of collision.

2. Motorists who are pulled over should remain vigilant and aware of approaching traffic, even while stopped. Keeping seatbelts fastened, hazard lights activated, and pulling as far onto the shoulder as safely possible can reduce the risk of injury in a secondary crash. Staying inside the vehicle until instructed otherwise by an officer may also provide an added layer of protection.

3. Fatigue and distraction behind the wheel are leading contributors to crashes involving vehicles on highway shoulders. Drivers should avoid operating vehicles when drowsy, particularly during early morning hours when alertness is naturally diminished. That said, no matter what precautions individuals take, accidents can happen to anyone, and we should never blame the victims of these unpredictable events.

Why This Story Matters

This story matters because it highlights the very real and often underappreciated dangers that law enforcement officers face during routine traffic stops on busy highways. The body camera footage provides the public with an unfiltered view of how a seemingly ordinary moment can become life-threatening in an instant. It also underscores the importance of driver awareness and adherence to Move Over laws, which exist to prevent exactly this kind of devastating incident and protect everyone on the road.

In summary, shortly after 5:00 a.m. on March 15, 2026, two New York State troopers were conducting a traffic stop involving a 2025 Mercedes sedan driven by Siiyer W. Walker, 52, of Connecticut, on the right shoulder of the Thruway in Mamaroneck, Westchester County. A 2007 Chevy Suburban driven by Kevin Ariel Cunache Moyolema, 24, of Connecticut, rear-ended the patrol car, pushing it into the Mercedes, which then struck one of the troopers. The injured trooper was transported to Westchester Medical Center with minor injuries and was later released, while Moyolema was also taken to the hospital for evaluation, and Walker declined transport after being assessed at the scene.