#State trooper dies 3 years after being struck by car on Long Island

A state trooper has died from injuries he suffered three years ago while helping a motorist on Long Island.

Trooper Joseph Gallagher died Friday, the State Police announced Saturday.

He was hit by a car on Dec. 18, 2017, while helping a driver whose vehicle was stuck on an entrance ramp from the Long Island Expressway to the Sagtikos Parkway.

Gallagher, then 35, suffered a traumatic brain injury.

Jesse Cohen, the driver of the car that hit Gallagher, was allegedly distracted by three different text conversations, according to Newsday.

Cohen, of West Islip, pleaded guilty to third-degree assault with criminal negligence, a misdemeanor, Newsday reported. He was sentenced to 30 days time served, three years of probation and 1,000 hours of community service.

Gallagher, who joined the State Police in 2014, is survived by his wife, two children, parents, sister and brothers.

Gov. Andrew Cuomo directed flags at state buildings to be flown at half staff to honor Gallagher’s memory.