BRENTWOOD, N.Y. (AP) — A trooper has died more than three years after he was struck by a distracted driver on Long Island, New York State Police said Saturday.
Trooper Joseph Gallagher was severely injured in December 2017 as he assisted a disabled motorist on an overpass leading to the Long Island Expressway near Brentwood.
State Police said Gallagher died Friday. He had been a trooper since 2014.
Gov. Andrew Cuomo on Saturday ordered flags at state government buildings to be flown at half-staff in honor of Gallagher. The governor said the flags will be flown at half-staff from Sunday through his interment.
“Trooper Gallagher is a hero to all New Yorkers — he dedicated his life to public service and worked to keep us safe,” Cuomo said in a statement. “His tragic passing is a reminder of the selfless actions so many brave first responders take each day. We will never forget him, and to honor his memory, I am directing flags be flown at half-staff to honor his memory.”
Cuomo said Gallagher is survived by his wife, two children, parents, sister and brothers.
On the day of the crash, Gallagher had parked his patrol car with its lights flashing, closed one of the lanes on the overpass and placed flares around the broken down vehicle.
But he was struck by a passing motorist, Jesse Cohen, of West Islip, who prosecutors said had been distracted by three texting conversations, Newsday reports.
Gallagher suffered a traumatic brain injury and lost the ability to walk and talk.
Authorities said Cohen received dozens of messages and had several social media apps open in the minutes before the crash.
He later pleaded guilty to third-degree assault with criminal negligence, a misdemeanor, and was sentenced to 30 days in jail, three years of probation and 1,000 hours of community service.