Driver Charged After Striking State Police Cruiser on NY Thruway

Key Details Seth J. Horender, 55, of Little Falls, New York, was arrested after hitting a New York State Police patrol vehicle on the NYS Thruway on March 25, 2026. Horender was operating a 2022 Peterbilt dump truck when he illegally passed onto the right shoulder to avoid the stopped patrol vehicle, striking the cruiser in the process. Why It Matters Horender continued driving approximately 20 miles before being stopped by troopers. He faces multiple charges including failure to avoid colliding with an emergency vehicle under New York's Move Over Law, as well as a citation for operating an overweight vehicle. The tractor-trailer was registered to Longhorn Trucking Company of Fort Plain. What Happened A state trooper had stopped in the right lane at mile marker 273 to remove a roadway obstruction, with emergency lights activated. The trooper avoided injury by moving to the median when he spotted the approaching truck. Inspection revealed damage to the left trailer wheels and rims. Trooper Safety Reminder This was the second incident of a trooper being struck on the Thruway in less than two weeks. State police emphasize that New York's Move Over Law requires drivers to slow down, stay alert, and move over when safely possible for stopped vehicles. In 2025, over 2,500 Move Over Law violation tickets were issued on the NYS Thruway.