Incident location, Long Island
What Happened
A tow truck operator was fatally struck by a vehicle Tuesday afternoon on Sunrise Highway in Bay Shore, according to police. The incident occurred on westbound Sunrise Highway, west of Brentwood Road, at around 1:40 p.m.
Police say 32-year-old Richard Rodriguez, of Freeport, was attempting to load a disabled vehicle onto the back of a tow truck while standing on the shoulder of the highway when he was struck by a passing car. The driver of the vehicle that hit Rodriguez was identified as Anthony Licalzi, 38, of Massapequa, according to authorities.
Following the initial collision, police say Licalzi’s vehicle crossed several lanes of traffic before striking the center median. Rodriguez was pronounced dead at the scene, while Licalzi was not injured in the crash, police reported.
The crash caused a portion of westbound Sunrise Highway to be closed for hours following the incident. The roadway has since reopened to traffic, according to authorities.
A GoFundMe has been created to support Rodriguez’s family in the aftermath of the fatal accident, News 12 reports.
Location & Road Context
The fatal collision occurred on westbound Sunrise Highway west of Brentwood Road in Bay Shore, a heavily traveled stretch of the major Long Island thoroughfare. This section of Sunrise Highway has seen 35 recorded incidents in traffic databases, with recent reports including various roadwork projects and traffic signal repairs along NY Route 27.
Sunrise Highway serves as a primary east-west corridor through Nassau and Suffolk counties, carrying significant commercial and commuter traffic daily. The area where the incident occurred is known for frequent vehicle breakdowns requiring tow truck services due to the high volume of traffic.
Broader Impact
The incident highlights the particular dangers faced by tow truck operators and emergency responders working along busy highways. Rodriguez’s death occurred while he was performing routine roadside assistance, loading a disabled vehicle in what should have been a protected work zone on the highway shoulder.