Officer Killed (This should be close to home for some of you)

[bushnell]

Found this article on Officer Down Memorial Page today.......

Police Officer Joseph Olivieri was struck and killed by a vehicle while investigating an accident in the HOV lane of the Long Island Expressway, near Exit 35.

He had exited his patrol car when another vehicle entered the crash scene and struck him. He was transported to North Shore University Hospital where he succumbed to his injuries.

Officer Olivieri had served with the Nassau County Police Department for 14 year and had previously served with the New York City Police Department for five years.

Read more: http://www.odmp.org/officer/21476-police-officer-joseph-olivieri#ixzz29fVtUyam

Just thought that I would share this being close to home for some of you......

[ants]

One of the most dangerous parts of that job is investigating accidents or stopping cars on a busy highway

My prayers go out to his family.

[Deerthug]

Very sad! You never know when it's going to be your time to go. My prayers go out to his family.

[Elmo]

In other states, when a cop pulls over on the highway, all traffic slows down a bit and goes over to the left lane. Something I never see in NY state. We just tend to zip right on by without any caution at all.

[bushnell]

Here in PA it is law that you move as far left as possible when a law enforcement officer has his emergency lights on.

[First-light]

So sad. Prayers to the family.

[NYbuck50]

Here in PA it is law that you move as far left as possible when a law enforcement officer has his emergency lights on.

This is law now in NY, upstate at least.. You have to get over if safe to do so, if their is a disabled vehicle or an officer with his lights on

[Deerthug]

In other states, when a cop pulls over on the highway, all traffic slows down a bit and goes over to the left lane. Something I never see in NY state. We just tend to zip right on by without any caution at all.

It is now law in NYS (I think since the summer) that you must pull to the left or right of where ever a police, fire or emergency service vehicle is located on any roadway. We don't know the whole story yet about what happened. It seems as the car that hit the officer tried to swerve around the other vehicles that were involved in the accident to which he was responding.

[bushnell]

Keep us posted deerthug. I know alot of times when someone hits the cruiser/officer while the lights are on (are most times under the influence). They are attracted to the lights. But thanks for sharing the info that you have heard so far.

[Hunter1]

our prayers to the family

[ny hunter]

That sucks!!!!thoughts and prayers for him and his family.

[shawnhu]

Used to drive on this everyday to work and get off exit 36 and pass 35. I know this area well, and unfortunately, there's always accidents on it. The rush hour traffic, plus careless cell phone drivers and add the fact that people are nosey and want to be in everyones business usually ends up with dead police officers. This incident will only further enforce the change lane law recently put into legislation.

[steve863]

OK, so the driver who caused the initial accident was under the influence, but the cop was hit by another car that was driving by. However, it looks like the driver who was under the influence and caused the initial accident is now getting hit with manslaughter charges. OK, he was drunk and caused the mess, I can understand that, but how about if it was a legitimate accident where no one was under the influence and then another car came by to hit the cop in the same way?? Who would be to blame then? I'm sure it wouldn't have been the people involved in the initial accident. I have no mercy for drunk drivers, but it looks like this drunk driver is getting punished big time.

[Whelen]

OK, so the driver who caused the initial accident was under the influence, but the cop was hit by another car that was driving by. However, it looks like the driver who was under the influence and caused the initial accident is now getting hit with manslaughter charges. OK, he was drunk and caused the mess, I can understand that, but how about if it was a legitimate accident where no one was under the influence and then another car came by to hit the cop in the same way?? Who would be to blame then? I'm sure it wouldn't have been the people involved in the initial accident. I have no mercy for drunk drivers, but it looks like this drunk driver is getting punished big time.

And rightfully so!

[sits in trees]

increasing numbers of tow truck drivers and highway dept workers are being killed on the side of roads/highways and most of it is due to distracted drivers texting on their cell phones....