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Police Officer Dies In LIE Crash; Man Charged With Homicide

February 5, 2011 11:54 PM
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LIE police crash

The accident involving a Nassau County police officer happened Friday at 11:20 p.m. on the Long Island Expressway. (Credit: CBS 2)

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EAST MEADOW, N.Y. (CBSNewYork/AP) – The police officer involved in a fatal crash on the Long Island Expressway Friday night was remembered by fellow officers and his community Saturday.  Police have also charged a Connecticut man with homicide in the death.

Officer Michael J. Califano, a 12-year veteran of the Nassau County Police Department, was killed after an accident that occured around 10:55 p.m. Friday involving a a flatbed truck and a police car on the westbound lane of the Expressway between Exit 40 and Exit 39 in Old Westbury.

1010 WINS’ Kathleen Maloney hears from fellow officers remembering Califano

Police Officer Dies In LIE Crash; Man Charged With Homicide

Officer Michael Califano (Photo/Nassau Co. Police)

Detectives said Califano was conducting a vehicle and traffic law stop and was sitting in his car with lights blinking. That’s when the flatbed truck struck the officer’s car from behind. The officer’s car ended up under the stopped box truck and was crushed, trapping the officer inside.

Responders had to cut the car in order to rescue Califano and rushed him to Nassau University Medical Center, where the officer died as a result of the collision.

Police have charged the driver — identified as 25-year-old John Kaley, of New Britain, Connecticut — with criminally negligent homicide, third-degree assault and failing to move over for an emergency vehicle.

Police Officer Dies In LIE Crash; Man Charged With Homicide

John Kaley has been charged with criminally negligent homicide (Photo/Nassau Co. Police)

Nassau County Police Commissioner Lawrence Mulvey said the officer’s death was a great loss to the county and lauded Califano was “one of our best.”

Fellow officers said they felt privileged to have worked with Califano.

“The nicest compliment you could pay Mike is that he was a soft-spoken gentleman.  Always had a smile on his face.  Never had a mean thing to say about anybody.  It was just a pleasure to be friends with and work next to for a bunch of years,” one colleague said.

“It crushes you, you know? You wake up in the morning, you turn your phone on, and you see a message come over that you lost a friend over something tragic like that,” fellow Officer Carl Tedeschi told CBS 2′s Lou Young. “It’s very, very upsetting.”

Three others were injured.  They included two people who were in the box truck and a female passenger in the flatbed truck. All were being treated at a hospital.

Flags at Nassau County buildings were being flown at half-staff in honor of Califano.

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(TM and Copyright 2011 CBS Radio Inc. and its relevant subsidiaries. CBS RADIO and EYE Logo TM and Copyright 2011 CBS Broadcasting Inc. Used under license. All Rights Reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed. The Associated Press contributed to this report.)

View Comments
  • 01608

    Larry can’t speak 4 ur st. but what I found in ma. it’s better to slow down, cause when u try 2 change lanes they speed up and block u.

  • J9

    I am so sorry for the family of the police officer. It is tragic. But, is it necessary to charge this person with homicide? An accident is just that, an accident. There may be negligence involved, Im sure there is, but I belive that this severe prosecution would not have happened were it not a police officer involved. I hope this young man gets a good lawyer. He is going to need one.

  • beansy

    What’s wrong with Norma’s comment? I believe when your number is up, it’s up as well. It’s tragic when anyone dies like that, police officer or not.

    • 01608

      Not a thing is wrong with that comment, as long as you don’t mind reading it about someone you love.

    • C M

      Hopefully at the wake of your next closest family member someone comes up to you and says “I believe when your number is up, it’s up as well”. I’m sure you’ll find those words comforting!

      • beansy

        People can have an opinion in a public forum, no? I don’t know the officer or his family so, I don’t have to “comfort” anyone.

  • 01608

    Let me throw this out.
    Please note this is not fact.
    The driver was txting had no clue, you know like norma.
    What was passenger doing why didn’t she see the lights?

  • LI_Guy

    Still a 4-ticket minimum in Nassau?

  • Donna

    To Our Cousins,
    We love you Jackie,Mike,Chris and Andrew. You will be strong,God has you all under his love and will keep you all safe and strong.although we are far apart,we are very close in your heart and you are in ours.. Thank you Mike for your dedication to the “Ny Blue” ,, we will see you in Heaven..xo
    We Love You,
    Ron,Donna,Ronnie and Corey

  • NYC Lady

    This is a senseless loss of life. A man doing his job and senselessly killed by someone who shouldn’t even be behind the wheel. My condolences to his family, friends and his coworkers.
    This should NOT have happened !!!

    Norma, you sound like a cold person….That is sad

    • Steve P

      Why shouldn’t he have been behind the wheel ? Did he not have a license? Was he drunk or high? No it was an accident. It was another man out trying to make a living. Get your facts straight

      • NYC Lady

        That accident should NOT have happened. Why didn’t he see the blinking lights? Was he to busy talking up a storm to his female passenger sitting next to him? Why didn’t she see the lights? Was she to busy enjoying the ride and talking up a storm right back to him?

        I am sorry but this just should NOT have happened and another life loss because of senselessness.

  • fu

    would driver be chargered with homicide if this wasn’t a cop?

    • Harry Callihan

      Agreed.

      • 01608

        SORY Harry wrong botton.
        But fu YES

    • YAK

      fully agreed! How is an accident homicide???

      • AW

        Are you people stupid? It was an accident so he should not be charged? The guy fell asleep. If he had not been on the road, Officer Califano would still be alive and my three young cousins would still have a father. Get a clue.

  • Mike DuFan

    Another Brother lost in the Line of Duty… Rest in Peace..my condolences to you & your family..Gods Speed…

  • H LINZER

    was woken up from news of this accident my heart goes out to families and officers affected. We need to make changes. we need action would love to help.

  • karens

    sadly, another servant of the people is needlessly murdered by an idiot. as an extended member of the long blue line family, my sincerest condolences to officer califanos families. their pain is great, and they will be strong because of each other’s love & support. to the criminal responsible for all this pain and destruction – you deserve a long and miserable jail sentence. justice for the victims.!

    • Steve P

      MURDERED? really? yor an idiot

  • A Brother

    Sounds like among other things speed was a big factor here. Speed can get you killed or charged with murder, so slow down for everyone’s sake. Crashes are so much more survivable with every mile an hour you slow down. Godspeed to the Califano family, and see you in Heaven Michael.

  • Angelo

    The Police and Fire Dept. workers are our unsung heroes. It is so sad when someone driving is not paying attention for whatever reason affects the life of so many people. This driver who caused this grief should be prosecuted to full extent of the law. May god bless this police officer and help guide his family through these tough times.

    • Hector Lopez

      Unsung heroes? where have you been for the last ten years? After 9/11, all people do is worship cops and foremen. And while I do not mean to diminish the tragedy of their deaths, those cops and firefighters knew the risks when they put on those uniforms. They did so voluntarily. But we rarely hear about those civilians, who went to work operating computers and pushing mops-and died. They’re jobs were not meant to be life-and-death jobs. So lets stop putting the lives of cops and firemen above others. A tragic loss of a human life is tragic loss of a human life-no matter what the persons occupation.

      • john

        you are right ,,all life if valuable and irreplaceable ,,,however you make no sense not a single person who operates computers in my office wears a bullet proof vest and gun,,,,,

  • Simboo

    My sincerest sympathy to late officer’s family members. I hope you find strength and courage to overcome this tragedy.

  • Mike Toron

    FYI
    The tri state area, NY, NJ & CT all have adopted the
    Move Over Law (or Act) as well as many other states due to a pattern of tragic events
    http://forums.officer.com/forums/showthread.php?56723-Move-over-law

    I am deeply saddened by the events surrounding this dedicated Officers death
    My heart goes out to his family, fellow NCPD, & Officers everywhere
    Mike

  • Emt8845

    All I have to say to Norma is maybe sh-t will happen to you and it will be your time. This man dedicated and gave his life for idiots like you. And I agree with fritz Von See you next Tuesday

  • friend of somebody deeply affected

    I cannot imagine what his family , wife and children are going through. Passing time will make it easier on all affected by this tragedy , but will never let Michael to be forgotten. He will stay alive through memories.He will carry on what he did his whole life – protect others.Michael is now one of the GOD’s FINEST!!!

  • Mike Toron

    TJ is correct, it is called the move over law.
    Unfortunately this is too common, while one would think gun fire is the only danger a Police Officer might face it is far from the truth
    As far as Norma’s comment I think you are out of touch with how tragic this Officers death is
    Officers everywhere that did not even know him are deeply saddened by their brother officers unnecessary & tragic death
    RIP

    • 01608

      We in Ma. have this move over law for police,fire,work crews and tow truck.
      The problem here is the lights are so bright that you can’t even see on coming traffic, never mind someone standing in the road.
      May god be with the family, and yes even you norma.

      • Former LIer

        We have that law in NY now. This tragedy happened on a 4-lane divided highway and the officer was in the breakdown lane, so oncoming traffic was irrelevant. There was absolutely no excuse for that flatbed driver to hit him. Absolutely none.

        Deepest sympathies to Officer Califano’s family, friends, and fellow officers.

  • Teri

    How very sad for the family. Stay safe out there………..

  • Larry Schwarz

    Isn’t there a law in New York requiring vehicles to move over one lane or if unable to slow down to 20 mph under the speed limit when the police are working an accident or traffic stop.If not,there should be

  • TJ

    I am pretty sure there was a new law where you had to stay one lane clear of a police vehicle in a pull-over. Doesnt anybody know this? Its common sense and sad that it has to be a law. Even so, people are just plain stupid and a life was lost as a result.

    • Larry Schwarz

      If there isn’t a law there should be.Here in Utah there have been numerous crashes of vehicles hitting police cars while an officer is working an accident or traffic stop.Police arn now vigorously enforcing this law.In utah you must move over one lane and if unable to because of traffic then slow down to 20 mph under the speed limit.My condolonces go out to this officers family.I

  • Fritz Von

    Norma, you’re a Fine Citizen. See you next Tuesday.

  • john

    god bless you and your family

  • norma

    sh-t happens when its your time its your time RIP

    • Brian

      Nice comment to leave for the officers family who are reading this story!

    • Nancy Luna

      My condolences to this officers Family. I hope this driver pays big time… IN JAIL…

      Norma if you have nothing good to say…Don’t say anything…

    • SaddenedCitizen

      My condolences to norma. She hasn’t got a clue.

    • satin

      you are so right…we can only hope and pray yours is up sooner than leter. You are a cold hearted b-itch. My condolences to Mikes family. May God be at your side during this difficul time

  • citizen

    May God be with him and his family at this difficult time. RIP PO

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