EAST MEADOW — The driver who police said was hit head on in Sunday's LIE wrong-way collision said he is thankful to be alive after the fatal accident. According to investigators, Joe DeGuardia, 49, was traveling westbound on the Long Island Expressway by Exit 41 in Jericho when a 2008 Honda driven by a 23-year-old male struck him. The driver was later pronounced dead at the scene and a female passenger was transported to an area hospital with severe internal injuries, police said.

DeGuardia is expected to be released Tuesday from Nassau University Medical Center, where he spoke to FiOS1 News' Jodi Goldberg about the accident.