ROCHESTER, Monroe County, N.Y., Sept. 24, 2026 — A pedestrian was struck Wednesday afternoon, September 23, at the intersection of Avenue D and Hollenbeck Street in Rochester, according to fire department radio traffic. The extent of the pedestrian's injuries has not been released.
Rochester Fire Department units responded to the scene after the crash was reported, with an engine company dispatched specifically for the injured pedestrian. Details on the pedestrian's condition, including whether the person was taken to a hospital, were not immediately available.
Information about the driver involved and whether the vehicle remained at the scene has not been released. The circumstances that led to the crash, including who had the right of way, remain under investigation.
No further details, including the pedestrian's age or gender, have been made public as of this writing.
We hope those who were hurt recover fully and quickly.
How Investigators Piece Together a Pedestrian Crash
When a vehicle strikes a pedestrian, the first priority at the scene is medical care, not fact-finding. Officers or crash reconstruction specialists typically arrive after emergency medical crews have already begun treatment, which means much of the physical evidence, skid marks, debris fields, resting positions, has to be documented quickly before it's disturbed by cleanup or weather.
Investigators usually rely on a mix of physical evidence, witness statements, and sometimes surveillance or dashcam footage to determine speed, positioning, and who had the right of way. In cases involving serious injury, measurements and photos taken at the scene are later used to build a more complete reconstruction, a process that can take days or weeks depending on how much evidence needs review.
Names of those involved are withheld until next of kin have been notified, which can add a delay before agencies release even basic details to the public. Toxicology results, if requested, and final crash reports typically take longer still, since labs and records units process cases in the order they're received rather than by public interest.
According to the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration, 24 percent of pedestrians killed in traffic crashes were struck by hit-and-run drivers in 2023.
Frequently Asked Questions
Are pedestrian crashes more common at night?
Yes. Reduced visibility plays a major role, and a large share of pedestrian deaths nationally occur after dark, particularly on roads without adequate lighting.
What should a pedestrian do after being hit by a car?
Seek medical attention right away, even if injuries seem minor, since some symptoms take hours to appear. Get the driver's information if possible, and file a police report if one hasn't already been started.
Who has the right of way at a crosswalk?
Pedestrians generally have the right of way in marked and unmarked crosswalks, but drivers and walkers both share responsibility for watching traffic signals and checking for oncoming vehicles before proceeding.
What to Do After a Pedestrian Accident in Rochester, NY
Anyone involved in or who witnesses a pedestrian crash should call 911 immediately so emergency crews can respond. Even if injuries seem minor at first, a medical evaluation is worth getting soon after, since adrenaline can mask pain from fractures or head injuries.
If you're a witness, staying at the scene to give a statement to responding officers can help investigators piece together what happened. For anyone injured, keeping records of medical visits and any communication with insurance companies can make the aftermath easier to navigate in the weeks that follow.
