UPDATE (February 18, 2025): Recent reports have been released which identify the man who lost his life as a result of this accident as 40-year-old Jose Valasquez. No additional information is currently available. Investigations continue.

Onondaga County, NY — February 9, 2025, a man was killed following a snow plow truck accident shortly before 2:45 a.m. along Morgan Road.

According to authorities, a man was traveling in a northbound SUV on Morgan Road in the vicinity of the Waterhouse Road intersection when the accident took place.

The cause of the accident remains unclear. Officials indicate that, for as yet unknown reasons, the SUV collided with the rear-end of a snow plow truck. The impact reportedly resulted in the SUV catching on fire.

The man who had been behind the wheel of the SUV suffered fatal injuries due to the accident and was declared deceased at the scene. Additional details pertaining to this incident—including the identity of the victim—are not available at this point in time. The investigation is currently ongoing.

Commentary by Attorney Michael Grossman

When a passenger vehicle collides with the back of a snow plow truck, the key question isn’t just what happened, but why it happened. In my experience handling truck accident cases, rear-end collisions involving specialized vehicles like plows often involve multiple contributing factors that aren’t immediately obvious from the scene alone.

Was the plow properly marked and visible? Snow plows operate in hazardous conditions and are required to have functioning lights, reflective markings, and warning signals to alert other drivers. If the plow lacked proper lighting or had obstructions that made it harder to see, that could explain why the SUV driver didn’t recognize the hazard in time. Investigators should examine maintenance records and post-crash inspections to determine whether the plow met visibility standards.

Did the snow plow’s speed or positioning contribute to the crash? Plows often operate at lower speeds than surrounding traffic, and if this one was moving significantly slower than expected, that could have left the SUV driver with little time to react. Investigators should review GPS data, dashcam footage, and witness statements to determine whether the plow was positioned safely on the roadway.

Was the SUV driver distracted or impaired? Late-night crashes often raise questions about driver awareness. Was the driver fully focused on the road, or was something inside the vehicle—such as a phone, navigation system, or drowsiness—causing a delay in reaction time? Investigators should examine phone records, toxicology reports, and other potential signs of impairment to determine whether inattention contributed to the wreck.

Did broader issues contribute to the crash? Municipalities and private contractors that operate snow plows are responsible for ensuring their vehicles meet safety requirements and their drivers follow proper operating procedures. If the agency responsible for the plow failed to enforce these safety measures, that could be relevant in understanding why the crash happened. Investigators should review maintenance logs, driver training records, and past safety violations to determine whether broader issues played a role.

At the end of the day, the most important thing is finding answers. Even if it takes an independent investigation to gather the right evidence, it’s critical to examine every factor to ensure those affected by the crash get the clarity and closure they deserve.