A man from Brentwood, New York, was arrested after allegedly speeding on the Long Island Expressway (LIE) while under the influence of drugs and causing a crash that seriously injured a police officer, according to authorities.
Police said 29-year-old Cody Fisher is facing multiple charges, including driving while impaired by drugs, second-degree assault, fleeing from a police officer, and reckless driving.
The incident happened on Sunday around 6 p.m. when Highway Patrol Officer Brendon Gallagher was conducting a traffic stop on the westbound side of the LIE. Fisher, driving a 2021 Ford Mustang, sped by the officer. Gallagher, who is part of the Street Takeover Task Force, activated his lights and sirens to pull the Mustang over.
As Gallagher attempted to stop Fisher, the driver lost control of the Mustang and sideswiped Gallagher’s patrol car. The impact caused Gallagher’s patrol car to fly off the highway and flip over.
Fisher’s Mustang also crashed off the highway, hitting a light post. An off-duty Nassau County Police officer, who was passing by, stopped to help and eventually managed to apprehend Fisher.
Gallagher, listed in critical condition, was airlifted to Stony Brook University Hospital. Fisher was taken to South Shore University Hospital in Bay Shore with injuries that were not life-threatening.
