Suffolk police officer released from hospital after Long Island Expressway crash

A crash involving a Suffolk County police vehicle sent an officer to the hospital and closed all eastbound lanes along a portion of the Long Island Expressway during Thursday afternoon's rush hour.

The officer behind the wheel of a Suffolk police highway patrol cruiser "was transported via Suffolk County Police helicopter to a local hospital for his injuries," Suffolk police said in an emailed statement. "The other driver did not require medical treatment," the statement said. Police did not elaborate on the nature of the officer's injuries.

At around 9 p.m., a police spokesperson said the injured officer had been released from the hospital.

An eastbound portion of the LIE was closed after the crash between Exit 51 and Exit 52 in Dix Hills. 

As of 6:30 p.m. Thursday a police spokesperson confirmed the highway was reopened.

Suffolk County police said officers responded to a call in that area regarding a two-car collision between a police cruiser and another vehicle at around 5 p.m. Thursday.