Thousands Gather for Funeral of L.I. Cop Killed by Truck

Investigators say driver may have fallen asleep behind the wheel

Thousands of police officers are converging on a Long Island church for funeral services for one of their own.      

Nassau County Police Officer Michael Califano was killed last Friday night during a traffic stop on the Long Island Expressway. While he had one truck pulled over, a second truck slammed into the rear of his police cruiser in Old Westbury, N.Y.      

The married father of three boys was a 12-year veteran of the police department.      

His family, friends and fellow officers are attending his funeral Thursday at Maria Regina Roman Catholic Church in Seaford.      

The truck driver involved in the crash has been charged with criminally negligent homicide and other crimes. He has pleaded not guilty and is free on bail.      

The criminal complaint states that Kaley “fell asleep and failed to keep the vehicle under control” before his truck “left the right lane” and crashed into two cars.”
 
The impact propelled the cruiser under a stopped box truck, while the flatbed mounted the police vehicle's roof. The severely injured officer was freed from the wreckage with heavy cutting tools, but died hours later at a hospital.
       
Kaley and his fiancee suffered less serious injuries in the wreck, said Nassau County police Lt. Kevin Smith.

Copyright AP - Associated Press
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