New York State Police have arrested a 20-year-old man after he allegedly targeted and struck a flagger with his yellow and blue 1999 Ford Mustang.
The alleged incident occurred July 14 in Horseheads in the southwest part of the state. According to police, Ryan R. Sochia of Montour, New York, approached an active construction zone on Ridge Road, just north of the town.
Police investigators say Sochia revved his Mustang’s engine at the flagger and antagonized her as she displayed a stop sign while directing traffic in the work zone. Sochia then allegedly struck the woman with his vehicle and drove off.
The flagger was taken to a local hospital with non-life-threatening injuries, including bruising, as a result of being struck, and was later released.
Police arrested Sochia on July 19 at his residence on County Road 14 in Montour and took him into custody.
Sochia was charged with the following:
- Assault 2nd degree (D felony)
- Reckless Endangerment 2nd degree (A misdemeanor)
- Reckless Driving (Unclassified misdemeanor)
- Aggravated Unlicensed Operation 3rd degree (Unclassified misdemeanor)
- Leaving the Scene of a Personal Injury Accident (A misdemeanor)
- Multiple Vehicle and Traffic Violations
Sochia was later released after posting a $1,080 bail.
In a 2025 survey from Associated General Contractors of America, done in partnership with software provider HCSS, 60% of contractors said a motor vehicle accident had occurred on one of their highway work zones in the past 12 months. That marks a 4% decrease from last year's survey but a 5% increase over the 2023 results.
