Officer Joseph P. Olivieri (
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A Nassau County cop who responded to an accident on the Long Island Expressway was killed early today when he was struck by another vehicle passing the scene of the crash, sources said.
Officer Joseph P. Olivieri, 43, was struck at 4:43 a.m. on the eastbound roadway near exit 35 in North Hills.
Olivieri was rushed to North Shore-LIJ Hospital in nearby New Hyde Park, where doctors labored in vain to save him. There were no immediate arrests but the death is under investigation.
“He was a cop’s cop,” said Nassau Police Benevolent Association chief James Carver. “This is a tremendous loss. He was a cheerful guy, loved by everybody and he will be missed by all.”
“I’m deeply saddened by our community’s loss and my heart breaks for the officer’s family, friends and colleagues,” Nassau County DA Kathleen Rice said in a statement today.
“What I can promise is that we will get to the bottom of exactly what happened this morning, and that we will continue to work tirelessly every day to protect those who risk their lives for the safety of our communities.”
Detectives say Olivieri was investigating a multiple-car accident in the pre-dawn darkness.
He was crossing the highway’s HOV lane when he was struck by a car that did not slow down because of the accident.
Four motorists are being questioned by police today, and blood from at least one of them will be tested for alcohol or drugs, said a source.
The accident and fatality closed down the LIE, creating a large traffic backup into Queens.
Olivieri, who lived in Ronkonkoma with his fiancee, is surivived by two children, daughter Amanda, 21, and son Daniel, 18.