Oneida County Sheriff's Deputy Involved in Trenton MVA

Two-car collision occurred during traffic stop on Route 12

Published on Feb. 17, 2026

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An Oneida County Sheriff's Deputy was involved in a two-car motor vehicle accident in the town of Trenton, New York on Sunday night. The deputy, 23-year-old Zachary Held, was conducting a traffic stop when his vehicle collided with a vehicle driven by 20-year-old Mariah Depan. Both vehicles suffered severe damage and the accident is currently under investigation.

Why it matters

Motor vehicle accidents involving law enforcement officers can raise concerns about public safety and the procedures used during traffic stops. This incident highlights the potential risks faced by both officers and civilians during routine enforcement activities.

The details

According to the Oneida County Sheriffs, Deputy Held was parked on the west side of Route 12 conducting traffic enforcement when he entered the roadway to perform a traffic stop on another vehicle traveling northbound. As Held was attempting the stop, his vehicle collided with the vehicle driven by Mariah Depan. Both Held's patrol vehicle and Depan's vehicle suffered severe damage and were towed from the scene.

  • The accident occurred around 8:20 pm on Sunday, February 15, 2026.

The players

Zachary Held

A 23-year-old Oneida County Sheriff's Deputy who was involved in the two-car collision.

Mariah Depan

A 20-year-old driver from New York Mills whose vehicle collided with Deputy Held's patrol car.

Jace Diehl

A 22-year-old passenger in Mariah Depan's vehicle who was evaluated by first responders at the scene.

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What’s next

The accident is currently under investigation by the Oneida County Sheriff's Office. They were assisted on the scene by the New York State Police, the Barneveld Fire Department, and Northstar Ambulance of Prospect.

The takeaway

This incident highlights the potential risks faced by law enforcement officers and civilians during routine traffic enforcement activities. The investigation will likely focus on the procedures used by the deputy and any contributing factors to the collision.