Driver Charged in Death of Officer to be Arraigned Friday

James Ryan took a walk Friday morning at Nassau County Police Headquarters in Mineola.

The 25-year old Oakdale man will be arraigned this morning on charges that he was allegedly responsible for two early-morning crashes on the Long Island Expressway and in the death of Officer Joseph P. Olivieri.

He will be charged with one count of second degree vehicular manslaughter and two counts of second degree reckless endangerment. In addition, Ryan faces charges of criminal possession of a controlled substance, reckless driving, driving while intoxicated and leaving an incident without a report.  

Olivieri, 43, a 19-year veteran of law enforcement, was killed responding to a disabled motorist at exit 35 of the Long Island Expressway in North Hills early Thursday. He was struck by a 2002 Cadillac Escalade travelling eastbound in the HOV lane. 

Police said Ryan, driving a 2010 Toyota Camry, started a chain reaction of events at about 4:43 a.m. when he hit a 2008 BMW and then drove off. 

Ryan then allegedly stopped abruptly in the left lane, parallel to exit 35, and was struck by a 2005 Honda Civic, according to police. The Honda came to rest in the right lane facing westbound while Ryan’s car came to rest perpendicular to the center median. 

When Olivieri arrived, he positioned his marked patrol car in the right lane in front of the Honda.

Police said the officer exited his vehicle and crossed to the HOV lane when he and the Toyota were struck.

Judge Bjorneby set bail at $120,000 cash or bond and adjourned that case to November 8.  Ryan’s license was suspended for gross negligence in the operation of a vehicle.

Ryan is being represented by attorney Brian Davis.