A 25-year-old motorist was hauled into court yesterday on charges his drunken driving led to the death of a Nassau cop — who in his final moments got off a one-word radio call for help:
“Ambulance.”
Officer Joseph Olivieri’s desperate request came 30 seconds after his fellow officers already had been dispatched to the scene of the predawn, multi-car crash on the Long Island Expressway blamed on Oakdale resident James Ryan.
As he was led from a police precinct in handcuffs, Ryan said he felt “bad” about Olivieri’s death.
Ryan, the son of a veteran Port Authority police officer, was charged in Hempstead District Court with second-degree vehicular manslaughter, leaving the scene of an accident, drunken driving and other offenses.
His blood alcohol content was .09 percent, just over the legal limit, said a source.
Nassau DA Kathleen Rice’s office wanted $500,000 bail for Ryan. Judge Eric Bjorneby slashed the request to $120,000, and Ryan was freed by early afternoon.
Ryan is accused of causing a chain-reaction crash that led to the death of Olivieri, 43, a 13-year veteran of the Nassau police force, in the LIE’s eastbound lanes in North Hills.
At about 4:45 a.m., Ryan was drunk behind the wheel of a 2010 Toyota Camry when he veered into the front wheel of a 2008 BMW, authorities said.
The BMW, crippled by the accident, pulled to the side of the road.
Police allege that Ryan tried to speed off. But he didn’t get far — as his car slowed, it was rear-ended by a 2007 Honda.
Ryan’s car spun across the highway and ended up stretched across the HOV lane.
Olivieri arrived at the scene moments later. Soon after he arrived, an off-duty NYPD cop pulled up and offered help.
Olivieri first checked on the two motorists on the right side of the road. Then he ran across the highway to check on Ryan’s Toyota.
Suddenly, a Cadillac Escalade sped up to the scene and smashed into the Toyota, which in turn slammed into Olivieri.
The unidentified NYPD officer called 911, said sources.
Olivieri died at Long Island Jewish Medical Center.
A group of Olivieri’s fellow officers showed up at Ryan’s court hearing yesterday. “It’s a sad day,” said Nassau PBA President James Carver.
Ryan’s father, 32-year Port Authority police veteran Patrick Ryan, was also in court.
Ryan’s lawyer said the family was “devastated” by Olivieri’s death.