HEMPSTEAD — The Oakdale man charged in connection with the car accident on the Long Island Expressway that resulted in the death of a Nassau police officer was driving drunk, according to officials. Prosecutors said 25-year-old James Ryan had a blood alcohol content of .09 when he caused two accidents near Exit 35. Officer Joseph Olivieri, a Nassau police veteran, was responding to that car crash when authorities said a car fatally struck him.

Ryan faces several charges, including vehicular manslaughter, reckless endangerment and DWI.