Brentwood Man Sentenced To 10 Years For Crash That Nearly Killed Suffolk Officer: DA

RIVERHEAD, N.Y.— A Brentwood man who nearly killed a Suffolk County police officer during a high-speed chase while impaired by alcohol and drugs was sentenced Tuesday to 10 years in prison, Suffolk County District Attorney Ray Tierney said.

Cody B. Fisher, 29, pleaded guilty last month to assaulting a police officer and multiple related charges for a January 2025 crash that left Officer Brendon Gallagher with life-threatening injuries, the DA said.

Prosecutors said Fisher, driving a 2021 Ford Mustang, sped up to 100 miles per hour on the Long Island Expressway while fleeing from police. When Gallagher attempted to pull him over between Exits 58 and 57, Fisher struck the officer's vehicle, causing it to flip and smash into a tree, the DA said. Gallagher was airlifted to Stony Brook University Hospital, where he underwent emergency surgery for a torn aorta and severe abdominal injuries, Tierney said.

Fisher refused a blood test at the scene, the DA said. A warrant later revealed a blood alcohol content of .06 percent and the presence of active marijuana, according to court records.

He pleaded guilty on Sept. 4 to assault on a police officer, assault, vehicular assault, unlawful fleeing a police officer, driving while ability impaired by the combined influence of drugs and alcohol and unlicensed operation of a motor vehicle, Tierney said.

Supreme Court Justice John Collins sentenced him to 10 years in prison, followed by five years of post-release supervision, the DA said. He was represented by Eric Besso Esq. and Peter Mayer Jr.

Gallagher, a three-year veteran of the department, previously survived an on-duty stabbing in 2022 and has been honored with multiple awards, including a Purple Heart and Combat Gold Medal, Tierney said.

"When someone makes the choice to operate a vehicle while under the influence of both alcohol and drugs, then actively flees from law enforcement at excessive speeds, they have already demonstrated a profound disregard for human life," Tierney said in a statement. "This case went beyond a reckless flight. The fact that this officer survived is nothing short of a miracle."