Nassau highway officer fatally hit on LIE

A Nassau County highway patrol officer was struck and killed in the line of duty early Thursday on the Long Island Expressway, according to Nassau County and police sources.
The officer, who has been on the force since 1998, was fatally struck about 5 a.m. Thursday in North Hills. The officer was out of his car to investigate an accident in the HOV lane when he was struck and killed by a vehicle, according to Nassau County officials with knowledge of the investigation.
Nassau County police would not immediately comment officially about the investigation.
The two-vehicle accident closed all eastbound lanes of the Long Island Expressway in North Hills early Thursday, according to the state Department of Transportation, backing up traffic to Queens.
Informny.com, the department's website, reported a two-vehicle accident at 4:46 a.m. between Exits 34 and 36.
A Nassau County police traffic advisory sent via email at 5:20 a.m. said eastbound lanes of the expressway were closed at Exit 35.
Nassau County Police Commissioner Thomas Dale and County Executive Edward Mangano announced they would hold a noon news conference about the accident.
Nassau Police Officer Michael Califano, 44, of Wantagh, was the last Nassau County police officer killed in the line of duty during a traffic stop. He died after a flatbed truck struck his patrol car Feb. 4, 2011, on the Long Island Expressway.

Re: Nassau highway officer fatally hit on LIE

SLOW DOWN AND MOVE OVER PEOPLE! It's not all about how fast you can get to work. It's not only being careful, it's the LAW!

Re: Nassau highway officer fatally hit on LIE

Re: Nassau highway officer fatally hit on LIE

I heard on the radio this am that he was struck by a drunk driver. I don't know how true that is.


It's drive like a a@@hole today! It's amazing how people drive!
Saw one girl blow a stop sign completely! She had nerve to honk at the other car (that she almost hit)!

I saw 4.. FOUR.. cars drive on the other side of the road (across double yellow lines) to go around people, on a main road!! What is the rush!?!??

Re: Nassau highway officer fatally hit on LIE

So incredibly tragic and heartbreaking.

Re: Nassau highway officer fatally hit on LIE

Posted by Tulips915

I heard on the radio this am that he was struck by a drunk driver. I don't know how true that is.


It's drive like a a@@hole today! It's amazing how people drive!
Saw one girl blow a stop sign completely! She had nerve to honk at the other car (that she almost hit)!

I saw 4.. FOUR.. cars drive on the other side of the road (across double yellow lines) to go around people, on a main road!! What is the rush!?!??

Re: Nassau highway officer fatally hit on LIE

Posted by ElizaRags35




I think I read that the initial accident that the officer had stopped for was a drunk driver but the person who actually hit him was not. He was trying to get around the accident.

Re: Nassau highway officer fatally hit on LIE

God.
Those roads are SOOO dangerous for these cops to have to be walking around on.
So scary.

And on the note of asshole drivers- I agree.
I felt like yesterday- just driving home from work on a straight run on the LIE service road- that I was on some crazy wild run away train ride.
People riding UP my ASS, people weaving in and out of traffic, speeding, you name it.

It's awful and just getting worse.

What a horrible story!

Nassau highway officer fatally hit on LIE

this is why I HATE driving more and more. People are in such a rush, they have no regard for anyone. So tragic. Is it really worth killing someone to get somewhere on time??

Nassau highway officer fatally hit on LIE

I was listening to the radio this morning and a woman called in complaining about the traffic on the LIE and how she was going to be late to work. I guess this is why she was late. Getting to work on time doesn't seem so important now, huh? May the officer rest in peace and many prayers for his family. It's so sad. This is happening way too frequently.

Re: Nassau highway officer fatally hit on LIE

Re: Nassau highway officer fatally hit on LIE

Posted by ElizaRags35

Posted by Tulips915

I heard on the radio this am that he was struck by a drunk driver. I don't know how true that is.


It's drive like a a@@hole today! It's amazing how people drive!
Saw one girl blow a stop sign completely! She had nerve to honk at the other car (that she almost hit)!

I saw 4.. FOUR.. cars drive on the other side of the road (across double yellow lines) to go around people, on a main road!! What is the rush!?!??

I think I read that the initial accident that the officer had stopped for was a drunk driver but the person who actually hit him was not. He was trying to get around the accident.

Re: Nassau highway officer fatally hit on LIE

Nassau County officials are holding a press conference at 11:30

Re: Nassau highway officer fatally hit on LIE

PLEASE DRIVE SAFE PEOPLE...

Maybe I am more sensitive because my 3 year is on a bus now, but I have never heard so many school bus accidents before. SLOW THE EFF DOWN. My son's actual bus and bus driver had an accident last week when someone cut it off. It was the route just before DS' so he wasnt on it, but there WERE students on it. Just yesterday I saw a collision with a school bus at the corner of North Ocean and the LIE service road. PLEASE PAY EXTRA ATTENTION.

and if you see police activity....MOVE OVER....IT IS THE LAW

Re: Nassau highway officer fatally hit on LIE

So sad, I was wondering what happened during my commute since I saw the LIE was so backed up. So tragic

Re: Nassau highway officer fatally hit on LIE

oh how horrible.
no mention of if anyone was drunk in the conference.
it must have happened so fast.
he was just responding to what was reported as a flat tire? i guess we will find out more

Nassau highway officer fatally hit on LIE

I didn't get to see the press conference but I did pass by the accident site this morning around 10:30 and my GOD what a horrific scene.

There was a car in the HOV lane that was just DEMOLISHED. Horrible. They must have already removed the other car because that was the only one I saw (we were crawling on the westbound side of the LIE so I couldn't help but notice all of this), I can't imagine what that one looked like.

Re: Nassau highway officer fatally hit on LIE

Re: Nassau highway officer fatally hit on LIE

My brother was on duty this morning when he texted me to stay away from the LIE on my way to work. When he told me why, my heart just broke. That could have been my brother or any other officer, it's just so real and heartbreaking. My prayers go out to the officer and family. So sad.

Message edited 10/18/2012 2:46:36 PM.

Nassau highway officer fatally hit on LIE

Many prayers to the officers family. How tragic.

I also totally agree with everyone saying people are driving like a-holes. I was at a red light yesterday going straight south on Centre Ave over Sunrise away. A caddy went into the left lane next to me and then made a right on red from the left lane around me. D!ck.

Re: Nassau highway officer fatally hit on LIE

so sad may he rest in peace

Nassau highway officer fatally hit on LIE

Today was accident day...I saw no less than 10 accidents and it took me over 2 1/2 hours to get home. Everyone is in such a rush that they keep causing accidents, which slow traffic even more! It's crazy out there..

Re: Nassau highway officer fatally hit on LIE

Posted by BargainMama

Posted by Deeluvsvinny

this is why I HATE driving more and more. People are in such a rush, they have no regard for anyone. So tragic. Is it really worth killing someone to get somewhere on time??

It's quite possible that at 5am, since it's still dark, the driver didn't see him. I remember the story of the cop hitting the kid that was standing in the HOV lane because he didn't see him either, and it was daylight out. Regardless, it's sad and may he RIP

Nassau highway officer fatally hit on LIE

Why aren't cops issued reflective vests for this situation?

Nassau highway officer fatally hit on LIE

Praying for his family and friends.