State Trooper Struck By Car On Long Island In 2017 Dies

SUFFOLK COUNTY, NY — Joseph Gallagher, a trooper with the New York State Police, died on Friday — more than three years after he was struck by a vehicle while on duty, police announced.

Gallagher was helping a disabled motorist on the overpass from the westbound Long Island Expressway to southbound Sagtikos Parkway on Dec. 18, 2017, when Jesse Cohen, of West Islip, was texting while driving and hit Gallagher with his car, Westchester County District Attorney Anthony A. Scarpino Jr. said in July 2020.

Gallagher suffered a traumatic brain injury and was severely disabled, the district attorney said. Gallagher had been a member of the state police since 2014, and he was previously assigned to Troop F and Troop T. He was last assigned to SP Brentwood.

He is survived by his wife, two children, parents, sister and brothers.

Cohen in 2020 pleaded guilty to third-degree assault with criminal negligence. Under the plea agreement, Cohen had been slated to serve 30 days in jail in addition to three years' probation and 1,000 hours of community service.

"The evidence that Jesse Cohen was distracted by text message conversations was overwhelming and today he admitted to causing the devastating crash which resulted in serious injury to Trooper Gallagher," Scarpino said in 2020. "The trooper's life will never be the same. Our thoughts remain with him and his family."

Cohen didn't see Gallagher and struck him, the district attorney said. Data from Cohen's phone showed he sent and received dozens of text messages in a number of separate conversations in the 20 minutes while he was driving before striking Gallagher, according to Scarpino.

"This crash and the serious injuries that left Trooper Gallagher severely disabled were 100 percent preventable," New York State Police Superintendent Keith Corlett said in a statement. "Using an electronic device behind the wheel is dangerous for the driver, other motorists and our first responders who are working to protect the driving public. Put down your device. It's the law and it could save a life."

Patch's Priscila Korb contributed to this report.