Rochester, NY (July 12, 2026) – Two people were hurt on Thursday night, July 9, after a motorcycle struck the rear of a car at the intersection of Lake Ave and Britton Rd, setting off a chain reaction that later involved a police cruiser.
The sequence began around 10:10 p.m. after the motorcycle reportedly failed to stop for a red light and hit the back bumper of a Pontiac. The force of the collision threw both people riding the motorcycle onto the roadway. The bike came to rest in the southbound lanes even though the initial contact occurred in the northbound direction.
As emergency units worked on the roadway, a police cruiser struck the unoccupied motorcycle. A second passing vehicle also ran over the bike, causing additional damage. The patrol vehicle’s front bumper was left partially detached.
The 40-year-old motorcycle rider and a 34-year-old woman who was riding as a passenger were taken to a hospital with non-life-threatening injuries. No one else was hurt. The cause of the chain of events remains under review as investigators continue gathering information.
We hope those injured make a full and speedy recovery.
Why Secondary Collisions Can Be Especially Dangerous
A vehicle or motorcycle left in a travel lane after a traffic crash can create serious hazards for approaching drivers, especially at night or in areas with limited visibility. Even after the initial contact has ended, disabled vehicles and roadway debris may lead to additional collisions if motorists cannot stop or safely change lanes in time.
Several factors are commonly reviewed after these types of roadway emergencies, including lighting conditions, traffic flow, vehicle positioning, visibility, and whether warning measures were in place. Investigators may also examine witness statements, physical evidence, and video footage to determine how each stage unfolded. Because secondary collisions can involve multiple vehicles arriving at different times, reconstructing the sequence is sometimes necessary to develop a complete picture of what happened.
