Suffolk County Police Officer Brendon Gallagher, who was seriously injured in the crash, is off life support and is in fair condition, officials say

Authorities said Tuesday that the condition of a Suffolk County police officer who was seriously injured in a crash on the Long Island Expressway earlier this month was improved from serious to fair at Stony Brook University Hospital.

According to Dr. James Vosswinkel, chief of trauma surgery at Stony Brook, 30-year-old Brendon Gallagher was taken off the ventilator on Monday and is breathing on his own but remains in the intensive care unit.

“He has a long road ahead of him and many obstacles to overcome in his recovery,” said Vosswinkel, who is also Suffolk County Police Chief Surgeon. “But I’m glad Brendon was able to be taken off the ventilator.”

Gallagher, a U.S. Army veteran who served in Afghanistan, suffered serious injuries after a suspect pushed his police vehicle off an expressway in Brentwood on Jan. 5, police said.

The vehicle struck a tree and overturned, trapping Gallagher in a twisted wreck for more than 30 minutes. Gallagher’s aorta was severed, causing massive blood loss. The crash left his lungs damaged and his skin and abdominal muscles were cut, said Vosswinkel, who described Gallagher as a strong and tenacious person.

“We are extremely excited to hear that Officer Brendon Gallagher’s condition has improved,” said Acting Suffolk Police Commissioner Robert Waring. “While this is good news, we know he has a long road ahead of him. Officer Gallagher is resilient and has already proven that he has the determination to overcome the odds.”

This is Gallagher’s second injury during his three years with the Suffolk County Police Department. Gallagher was stabbed during a confrontation with a Medford man in December 2022. Gallagher’s partner, Raymond Stock, was also injured in the attack.

Vosswinkel said Gallagher’s immediate family, as well as Suffolk police officers, have been keeping vigil at his bedside 24 hours a day, 7 days a week since the accident.

“Our prayers have been answered and his health is trending in a positive direction,” said Lou Civello, president of the Suffolk County Police Benevolent Association, the union representing police officers. “We were very close to losing him. The fact that he is breathing on his own is nothing short of a miracle.”

Cody Fisher, 29, of Brentwood, was charged with second-degree assault, second-degree unlawful escape, reckless driving and driving while impaired by drugs in connection with the crash. At his Jan. 6 arraignment in Central Islip, Fisher pleaded not guilty to the charges. Suffolk District Judge Steven Weissbard set bail at $1 million cash and $2 million bond.

Online court records show Fisher is scheduled to return to court on Friday in Riverhead.

Gallagher is a member of the department’s Street Takeover Task Force, formed last year to combat illegal street racing. Police said Gallagher stopped just after 6 p.m. near Exit 55 on the westbound expressway as a 2021 Ford Mustang driven by Fisher was traveling at speeds of 95 to 100 mph, police said.

Gallagher followed Fisher, stopping the Mustang and turning on its sirens and lights, officials said. Police said Fisher accelerated and the Mustang spun out, striking Gallagher’s vehicle.

Police said Fisher nearly hit another vehicle while changing lanes and then speeded, hitting the side of Gallagher’s SUV and forcing it off the road. The police vehicle left the road, hit a tree and rolled over.