New York State Police Chase Ends in Car Accident That Causes Bus to Hit Tiffany Brown in Rochester
ROCHESTER, NEW YORK (February 20, 2026) – A 38-year-old woman identified as Tiffany Brown was injured in a Rochester bus accident following a police chase near Hudson Avenue and Clifford Avenue.
Monroe County officials are saying that the accident took place around 10:54 a.m. on February 17, 2026. New York State Police attempted to stop a Chevrolet Trax for traffic violations.
That person did not stop at the scene and proceeded to go through a red light before colliding with a Regional Transit Service (RTS) bus. Following that initial crash, the bus proceeded to collide with Tiffany Brown near a church.
She became trapped underneath the bus as a result of the accident. Firefighters and paramedics were called to the scene to help the victim.
Tiffany Brown was transported to Strong Memorial Hospital to receive treatment for serious injuries. Police have since arraigned the 42-year-old suspect, who was also hospitalized.
Liability for Rochester Bus Accidents
Bus drivers are considered common carriers and must operate with a great deal of care to avoid causing accidents. This requires that they use caution to avoid hitting any pedestrians. According to New York Vehicle Code 1146, “every driver of a vehicle shall exercise due care to avoid colliding with any bicyclist, pedestrian, or domestic animal upon any roadway and shall give warning by sounding the horn when necessary.” There are many ways that a bus driver may have acted negligently prior to hitting a pedestrian.
- Distracted Driving: A bus driver may have been distracted by using their cell phone, adjusting mirrors, or speaking with other passengers on the bus.
- Speed: A bus driver may have been traveling too fast for the prevailing conditions. Even traveling well below the speed limit could be unsafe depending on the traffic conditions a bus driver was facing.
- Improper Lane Usage: A bus driver may make a turn at an intersection without first checking if their turn could be made safely.
- Overcorrection: A bus driver may lose control of their vehicle after overcorrecting following a previous collision.
Depending on the specific facts of any case, there could be several liable parties for a bus accident. This includes any secondary vehicle that may have collided with a bus. It also includes a police department if a collision took place during a police chase. Police chases are inherently dangerous and should only be used as an absolute measure of last resort. But far too often, they are used to apprehend drivers that commit minor traffic violations. If police officers engaged in a pursuit that shows a reckless disregard for the safety of the public, this could form the basis of a negligence claim.
Steps to Take After After After Rochester Bus Accidents
Many people are seriously injured or killed every year in bus accidents. According to The Journalist’s Resource, “on average, about 63,000 buses [of all kinds] are involved in an accident each year; about 14,000 result in an injured person, and 325 result in a fatal injury.” Many different steps should be taken after any person is injured in a Rochester bus accident.
- Medical Treatment: Victims should seek medical treatments as early as possible. Many of the injuries associated with a serious collision will not be immediately obvious.
- Follow-Up Care: Victims should seek all required follow-up care after their initial assessment. Failing to seek follow-up care can potentially cause major legal and health complications down the road.
- Police Report: The police report created after the accident should be sought. This report contains an officer’s initial impressions of what happened. But it may contain errors and will almost never take into consideration negligence on the part of police officers.
- Legal Counsel: Any person injured in a Rochester bus accident should seek the guidance of an experienced Rochester bus accident attorney. An attorney can help identify all liable parties and make sure you are fairly compensated for your injuries.
Bus accidents are often highly complex events. There could be multiple liable parties. Unfortunately, none of these parties or their insurance providers will voluntarily step forward and accept responsibility for what took place. This is why seeking legal guidance is so crucial. It is important for the victims of these accidents to understand that they do have legal rights. They are able to pursue some measure of justice and accountability through a personal injury claim. Damages in a personal injury claim can help with lost wages, medical bills, and pain and suffering.
Investigating Rochester Bus Accidents
We at Richmond Vona extend our best wishes to Tiffany Brown as she continues to recover. This was a preventable collision that should not have taken place. Any person that may have more information about what happened should reach out to investigators. Many different questions remain unanswered at this time. What were the actions of the bus driver immediately after the first collision? Why would the New York State Police initiate a chase over a traffic violation?
Have you or someone that you care about been injured in a Rochester bus accident? You may be entitled to significant financial compensation. Our team of bus accident attorneys based in Rochester are here to help you. We are committed to helping victims get all of the medical and financial support that they need to recover. In fact, we have recovered numerous 7-figure verdicts and settlements on behalf of our deserving clients. Whether you just have legal questions or are wondering how an attorney may be able to help, we are here to serve your needs. You can reach out to us anytime at 585-523-2336.
