A 25-year-old man who caused a series of accidents on the Long Island Expressway early Thursday morning that resulted in the death of Nassau County highway patrol officer Joseph Olivieri, has been charged with reckless endangerment, criminal possession of a controlled substance and leaving the scene of an accident.
James Ryan, of Oakdale, who initially cause an accident on the expressway but continued driving his Toyota Camry, was later hit by a Honda Civic after an abrupt stop in the left lane.
Olivieri had stopped his police vehicle in the right lane and proceeded to assist Ryan who was still in his vehicle. An oncoming Cadillac Escalade struck Olivieri as it swerved to avoid hitting the stopped vehicles in the road.
The driver of the Escalade is not expected to face any charges.
Officer Olivieri was able to radio for help after being struck. He was taken to North Shore University Hospital, where he later died.
Olivieri was the father of a 19-year-old son and a 21-year-old daughter, and he was described as an “exemplary police officer.” The 19-year police veteran spent five years with the NYPD before joining the Nassau County Police Department.
Ryan will be arraigned at the First District Court in Hempstead on Friday.
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