Central Square, NY (June 27, 2026) – Alice Visneau, 62, of Central Square, died after a trailer detached from a pickup truck and struck her while she was crossing an intersection on a motorized mobility scooter, the Oswego County Sheriff’s Office reported.
The Oswego County Sheriff’s Office was dispatched at approximately 6:45 p.m. on June 27, 2026, to the intersection of East Ave (State Route 49) and Gertrude Drive in the Village of Central Square. According to a preliminary investigation, a 2016 Ram 2500 pickup truck was traveling eastbound on East Ave when the enclosed trailer it was towing became detached and struck Visneau, who was traveling westbound and crossing the intersection, according to the Sheriff’s Office.
Visneau was transported to Upstate Hospital, where she was pronounced dead.
The pickup truck was operated by Xavier Izyk, 21, of Fulton, and was being driven on behalf of Big Kahuna Rentals Inc. at the time of the crash. Izyk was not reported injured.
The Oswego County Sheriff’s Office was assisted on scene by the New York State Police, Central Square Fire Department, Brewerton Volunteer Fire Department, and Menter Ambulance. The incident remains under investigation.
A family losing someone during an ordinary evening crossing the street deserves to know every factor that caused it, and whether anyone failed to prevent it.
Fatal Pedestrian Accidents in Upstate New York
When a trailer detaches from a commercial vehicle and kills a pedestrian, multiple parties may share responsibility. An attorney and investigators typically examine:
- Whether the trailer hitch was properly attached, maintained, and inspected before the vehicle was operated
- Whether the rental company, as owner of the equipment, bears responsibility for its condition and roadworthiness
- Whether the driver, operating on behalf of Big Kahuna Rentals Inc., was properly trained to tow the trailer
- Employer liability: under respondeat superior, a company may be held responsible for harm caused by an employee acting within the scope of work duties
- Whether any mechanical defect in the trailer coupling played a role, which could implicate the manufacturer
New York follows a pure comparative fault standard. A pedestrian’s right to recover is not automatically barred even if questions about the crossing arise. What matters is the full picture of what caused the trailer to detach and what duty of care was owed.
Under New York’s wrongful death statute (EPTL § 5-4.1), Alice’s family generally has two years from the date of her death to file a claim. For a death occurring on June 27, 2026, that deadline falls on June 27, 2028. Waiting does not preserve evidence, however. Trailer hitch condition, inspection records, and the rental company’s maintenance logs can disappear quickly.
This is a developing story. Details may change as the investigation continues.
Contact Our Upstate New York Pedestrian Accident Attorneys
Alice Visneau was simply crossing the street. Her family now faces questions that should not be theirs to sort through alone, especially when the crash involved commercial equipment and a company operating that equipment for profit.
Our Upstate New York personal injury attorneys have handled pedestrian deaths involving commercial vehicles, equipment failures, and employer liability across this region. Cases like this one often involve more than one at-fault party, and identifying all of them matters to the full value of a wrongful death claim. Our Upstate New York wrongful death lawyers can explain what Alice’s family may be entitled to recover.
The trailer, the hitch, and the rental company’s maintenance records are the physical evidence this case turns on. That evidence needs to be preserved now, before it is repaired, discarded, or claimed by the company’s own insurance team.
There is no cost to speak with us, and we collect no fee unless we recover for your family.
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- 90+ years of combined legal experience serving Upstate New York and Northern Pennsylvania
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Call Stanley Law to Discuss Alice’s Case – 1-800-608-3333