A 23-year-old West Islip man was indicted on a charge of third-degree assault with criminal negligence in connection with hitting Trooper Joseph Gallagher while driving distracted in December 2017. Trooper Gallagher was outside of his patrol car assisting a disabled vehicle on the Long Island Expressway westbound ramp to the Sagtikos Parkway southbound when he was hit by the accused distracted driver who had been texting in his vehicle. Trooper Gallagher, who suffered severe head injuries, now requires constant care. Below is an article about the indictment.