Officer hurt in Long Island Expressway crash was also injured during 2022 fatal police shooting
BRENTWOOD, N.Y. -- A police officer is fighting for his life after a crash on the Long Island Expressway, his second brush with death on the job in just over two year.
Brendon Gallagher is in a medically induced coma after he crashed trying to catch up to a speeding driver Sunday night near Exit 55 on the LIE in Brentwood, police said. He was attempting to stop the driver of a Mustang racing at 95-100 mph on the highway.
"There is a Suffolk County Police car, Ford Explorer, directly on his bumper clearly trying to get him to pull over. They were both at a very, very high rate of speed. They must've been attempting to evade by switching lanes," a man who witnessed the crash said.
Seconds later, the vehicles collided. Gallagher's overturned and he was extricated by first responders before getting airlifted to Stony Brook University Hospital.
"The damage was so significant, it took emergency officers over a half an hour to extricate him from the vehicle," said Robert Waring, Suffolk County's acting police commissioner.
Gallagher's vehicle also struck a tree before it flipped over, police said. Video from the scene showed traffic coming to a standstill after the accident.
Doctors said the next 48 hours are critical for Gallagher, who is lucky to be alive after losing so much blood.
"We had our MedCAT police officers literally climbing in this tangled mess, controlling hemorrhage to try to prolong his life," said Stony Brook University Hospital's Dr. James Vosswinkel.
Mustang driver Cody Fisher charged with DUI
The driver, identified as Cody Fisher, crashed into Gallagher's police vehicle during the pursuit, police said. He was pulled out of the wreck by an off-duty Nassau County officer who was on his way to work.
Fisher was charged with driving under the influence of drugs and assault. Prosecutors said he admitted he smoked marijuana and has a prior road rage conviction and four license suspensions.
"We need laws that act as a deterrent. Ninety-five to a hundred miles an hour and we can't hold you on bail unless you almost kill one of us," said Lou Civello, with the Suffolk Police PBA.
Gallagher is a member of the Suffolk County Police Street Takeover Task Force, which was created in response to illegal illegal street racing that has been terrifying some Long Island communities.
"This is an officer that pulled two other individuals earlier in the week over for racing, Mercedes that were doing over 130 miles an hour on the expressway. Street racing has to stop," said Suffolk County Executive Ed Romaine.
Gallagher has three years on the Suffolk County Police force and has been awarded eight times for exemplary work.
Same officer survived 2022 stabbing attack
The LIE crash was Gallagher's second brush with death in just over two years. In late 2022, a man stabbed Gallagher and another officer as they responded to a domestic dispute in Medford.
Officer Raymond Stock was stabbed in the neck, chest and groin, and Gallagher was stabbed in the ribs; Officials said a bulletproof vest protected his heart.
Gallagher, who was able to walk, wheeled Stock out of Stony Brook University Hospital after he had suffered paralyzed vocal cords.
The 56-year-old man was shot and killed by a responding officer. The shooting was justified, the department said.
Gallagher was offered a desk job after the stabbing, but opted to return to the front lines.