Rochester, NY (February 18, 2026) – A police pursuit of a traffic violator ended in a multi-vehicle catastrophe that left a pedestrian pinned beneath a city bus and several others hospitalized on Tuesday morning. The incident occurred at approximately 10:54 a.m. on 17th Feb, 2026, at the intersection of Hudson Avenue and Clifford Avenue in the city of Rochester.
New York State Police reported that members of the Troop E Community Stabilization Unit attempted to stop a 2015 Chevrolet Trax for traffic violations. The driver, identified as 42-year-old David Robinson of Rochester, failed to comply and fled from troopers. Robinson proceeded to run a red light at the Hudson and Clifford intersection, broadsiding a Regional Transit Service (RTS) bus. The force of the collision redirected the bus, causing it to strike a female pedestrian before crashing into a fence on nearby church property.
The female pedestrian became trapped underneath the bus, requiring a complex extrication by the Rochester Fire Department. While she remained conscious throughout the ordeal, she sustained serious injuries and was rushed to Strong Memorial Hospital. The driver of the RTS bus suffered minor injuries, while Robinson himself sustained serious injuries; both were also transported to Strong Memorial for treatment. Robinson was taken into custody at the hospital, and the State Police Collision Reconstruction Unit spent several hours processing the scene.
Pedestrian Accident in New York
Accidents resulting from police pursuits involve a complex layer of legal challenges, particularly when innocent bystanders and public transit vehicles are involved. Under New York’s “No-Fault” insurance laws, the initial medical expenses for the injured pedestrian and the bus driver are typically covered by the insurance policy of the vehicle that struck them. However, given the “serious injury” nature of the pedestrian’s condition and the reckless conduct of the fleeing driver, victims may pursue a personal injury claim to recover damages for pain, suffering, and long-term rehabilitation.
An experienced New York pedestrian accident attorney helps investigate whether the police pursuit adhered to departmental safety guidelines and state law. In high-density urban areas like Rochester, the decision to initiate or continue a pursuit must be balanced against the risk to the public. A lawyer will work to secure dashcam and bodycam footage, as well as the RTS bus’s internal surveillance data, to build an undeniable account of the negligence involved.
New York law enforces unforgiving deadlines for those seeking justice after a serious accident. While you generally have three years to file a personal injury lawsuit, the deadline to file for mandatory No-Fault benefits is only 30 days from the date of the incident. Furthermore, because a municipal entity like the Regional Transit Service is involved, a formal “Notice of Claim” must typically be filed within 90 days to preserve the right to sue a government-affiliated agency.
If you have questions about your legal rights after a pursuit-related crash or a pedestrian accident, contact Stanley Law Office at 888-997-3889 for a free, private consultation. We are here to help you find the answers and support your family deserves.
