Pamelia, NY (December 23, 2025) – New York State Police have released the identities of those involved in a complex four-vehicle collision that occurred Tuesday night at a rural intersection in Jefferson County. The crash took place at the intersection of Route 37 and Waddingham Road in the Town of Pamelia.
According to investigators, the chain reaction began when a 2022 Mitsubishi, operated by Teagan R. Cooksey, 20, of Tennessee, was traveling westbound on Waddingham Road. NY State Police determined that Cooksey was traveling at a speed too high for the conditions, causing her to lose control and fail to stop at the posted stop sign. The Mitsubishi entered Route 37 and struck a 2014 Chevrolet pickup truck driven by Kyle R. Staplin, 47, of Watertown. The force of the impact pushed Staplin’s truck into the northbound lane, where it collided with a 2014 Dodge driven by Jacob A. Recor, 28, of LaFargeville, and subsequently hit a 2016 Subaru operated by John F. Getman, 20, of Theresa.
Three individuals—John Getman, his passenger Lucero Getman, 19, and Jacob Recor—were transported to Samaritan Medical Center for treatment of non-life-threatening injuries. Kyle Staplin and Teagan Cooksey were evaluated, but no immediate hospitalizations were reported for them.
Liability and Complex Chain-Reaction Claims in New York
This multi-vehicle accident in Pamelia is a classic example of a “chain-reaction” collision where a single negligent act triggers multiple subsequent impacts. In New York, the driver who initiates the sequence, in this case, by failing to stop at a stop sign and speeding, is typically held primarily liable for the damages to all subsequent vehicles. Because Teagan Cooksey failed to yield the right-of-way, the other drivers (Staplin, Recor, and the Getmans) are likely viewed as innocent victims of a situation where they had little time to react.
Under New York’s pure comparative negligence law, the injured parties have the right to seek compensation even if multiple impacts occurred. Furthermore, since three individuals were hospitalized, their injuries may meet the state’s “serious injury” threshold, allowing them to pursue claims for pain and suffering beyond basic No-Fault insurance benefits. For the passengers, such as Lucero Getman, the legal path is often more direct, as passengers are almost never found at fault for a collision. A thorough investigation into vehicle speeds and the “black box” data from the 2022 Mitsubishi will be essential to confirming the police’s preliminary findings regarding Cooksey’s speed and failure to stop.
How Can We Help
At Stanley Law, we help victims of vehicle accidents work through the difficulties of insurance matters and personal injury lawsuits. If you or a loved one were injured in this Pamelia collision, our New York auto accident lawyer is here to ensure that the driver who triggered this chain reaction is held fully accountable. We manage the complex interactions between multiple insurance companies so you can focus on your medical recovery. Call us at 888-997-3889 for a free consultation today and let us fight for your rights.
