Metro

Driver busted on DWI, manslaughter charges in Nassau cop’s death

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Joseph Olivieri (
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A veteran Nassau County cop was killed yesterday as he investigated a predawn crash on the Long Island Expressway involving a drunken driver, law-enforcement sources said.

Officer Joseph Olivieri, 43, was struck at about 4:50 a.m. in North Hills by an SUV not involved in the initial accident, authorities said.

After the impact, Olivieri bravely radioed for help, and was aided by a passing NYPD narcotics officer.

He was rushed to Long Island Jewish Hospital in New Hyde Park, where doctors desperately worked to save him .

“He was a cop’s cop,” said Nassau Patrolmen’s Benevolent Association President James Carver. “This is a tremendous loss. He was a cheerful guy, loved by everybody, and he’ll be missed by all.”

Olivieri had pulled over to investigate an eastbound accident involving a 2008 BMW that had come to a stop on the side of the highway.

The BMW driver told Olivieri that his car had been hit by a 2010 Toyota Camry that kept going and struck a second car.

Olivieri spotted a 2007 Honda Civic also stopped on the right side of the eastbound roadway by Exit 35.

The Camry was on the left side, blocking the HOV lane. Its taillights and headlights appeared to be off, said Detective Lt. John Azzata, of the Nassau PD.

Olivieri ran across the highway to aid the Camry driver — and while he was standing in the HOV lane, a Cadillac Escalade slammed into the Camry and then the officer, police said.

The Camry driver, James Ryan, 25, was charged yesterday with second-degree vehicular manslaughter and DUI. None of the other drivers was charged.

Olivieri spent five years with the NYPD before joining the Nassau force in December 1998.

He narrowly escaped death in 2000 when his police cruiser flipped over after skidding on an icy road in Massapequa.

Several good Samaritans who lifted the car while Olivieri was pinned inside were credited with saving his life.

Olivieri, who lived in Ronkonkoma with his fiancée, is survived by his two children, Amanda, 21, and Daniel, 18.