Curtis Lonsky Killed in Lansing Motorcycle Accident
The collision occurred at the intersection of Auburn Road and Locke Road
A 45-year-old King Ferry man, identified as Curtis Lonsky, was killed in a motorcycle crash on Auburn Road near Locke Road in Lansing, New York, on Aug. 25, according to the Tompkins County Sheriff’s Office.
The northbound motorcycle driven by Lonsky collided with a southbound 2022 Infiniti compact SUV at approximately 6:05 p.m. when the SUV driver attempted to turn east onto Locke Road, crossing directly into the motorcycle's path, investigators said. Lonsky was pronounced dead at the scene. The SUV driver was not injured.
Deputies issued a traffic ticket to the SUV driver for failure to yield the right of way. The New York State Police Crash Reconstruction Team is assisting with the ongoing investigation.
According to the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration, 6,228 motorcyclists died in 2024, representing 16% of all traffic fatalities. Alcohol impaired 40% of riders killed in single-vehicle crashes.
Intersection collisions remain a persistent threat to vulnerable road users across upstate New York. When drivers fail to yield the right of way while making left turns, motorcyclists face catastrophic risks due to their smaller visual profile and lack of structural protection.
Candice Bond, managing partner at Bond Legal, said, "Left turn collisions rank among the deadliest scenarios on any roadway because a motorcycle offers no frame, no airbag, and almost no margin for error. Sight lines get blocked, signal timing gets misread, and one quick, instinctive decision often determines survival."
"Legal counsel gathers traffic camera recordings, inspects damaged vehicles, and consults reconstruction specialists on behalf of grieving surviving relatives," added Bond, who is also a national legal analyst for Accident News.
As authorities finalize their reports and review the failure-to-yield citation, the focus shifts to understanding the full scope of liability. Consulting a personal injury attorney can help clarify rights and potential claims.
Under N.Y. EPTL § 5-4.1, surviving family members may file a wrongful death action. New York applies pure comparative fault. The statute of limitations is 2 years from the date of death.
Recoverable damages may include loss of financial support, loss of parental guidance, funeral expenses, and the decedent's conscious pain and suffering.
"Drivers making left turns at busy intersections frequently fail to spot oncoming motorcycles until impact is unavoidable. Examining headlight functionality and vehicle crush patterns helps crash reconstruction experts establish speed and visibility during the turn," said Stefano Formica, of counsel at Bond Legal.
Formica, who is also a national legal analyst for Accident News, noted, "Legal counsel assists surviving relatives by securing nearby surveillance footage, reviewing applicable insurance policies, and handling difficult insurer inquiries."