Penfield, NY (Sept. 23, 2026) – Two women were seriously hurt after being struck by an SUV while crossing Bay Road near Terrel Drive in Penfield on Wednesday afternoon.
According to the Monroe County Sheriff’s Office, the crash happened around 3 p.m. as the women were crossing Bay Road heading east and were struck by an SUV traveling north. One woman has life-threatening injuries; the other is in stable condition.
Deputies detained the driver of the SUV, and a News10NBC photojournalist saw deputies conducting what appeared to be a field sobriety test at the scene. As of Wednesday evening, the driver had not been arrested, and the Sheriff’s Office said it is still investigating whether the crash involved criminal conduct. Sergeant Brendan Hurley said the department’s Major Crimes unit responded to help determine what happened.
Bay Road reopened by that evening after being closed for the investigation.
Pedestrians struck by a vehicle face some of the most severe injuries seen in any type of crash, since there is nothing but the human body to absorb the impact of a vehicle that can weigh two tons or more.
Pedestrian Right of Way and Criminal vs. Civil Claims in New York
New York law gives pedestrians the right of way in a marked or unmarked crosswalk, and a driver who strikes someone lawfully in the roadway can be held civilly responsible for the injuries that result, separate from whatever happens with any criminal investigation.
A criminal case and a civil claim run on separate timelines. Even if the driver here is never charged, or charges take months to resolve, the women hurt in this crash do not have to wait for that outcome before pursuing a civil claim. If the driver is later found to have been impaired, that finding can strengthen the civil case, but it is not required to bring one.
Evidence like sobriety test results, witness accounts, and traffic camera footage from the area should be gathered as early as possible, rather than waiting to see what, if anything, comes of the criminal side of the case.
Contact Our Rochester Pedestrian Accident Lawyer
Stanley Law Offices represents pedestrians and their families throughout Monroe County after serious and fatal crashes. Our pedestrian accident attorneys in Rochester, NY understand how to build a case around a pending criminal investigation without waiting for it to conclude.
If you or someone you love was one of the two women hurt in this crash, or you have been hurt as a pedestrian anywhere in the Rochester area, call 888-997-3889 for a free consultation. We only get paid out of what we recover for you, so there is no cost to finding out where you stand.
