Nassau officer seriously hurt during funeral procession released from hospital

The Nassau County highway patrolman who was severely injured while participating in a funeral procession last month was released from Stony Brook University Hospital Thursday amid cheers from his fellow officers — and a passionate plea for roadside safety from the doctor who oversaw his monthlong hospitalization.

Michael Hyland, 53, raised his fist as his gurney was loaded into a Nassau police ambulance, sparking even louder applause from the scores of officers who gathered outside the hospital on a cool, breezy morning to wish him well.

Hyland was taken to St. Charles Rehabilitation in Smithtown, where he will continue his recovery. He suffered horrific injuries after his motorcycle was struck by a 2020 Toyota Tundra, according to Dr. James Vosswinkel, Stony Brook’s chief of trauma surgery and the Suffolk police chief surgeon. Vosswinkel said the injured officer was "busted from head to toe" when he arrived at Stony Brook last month.

"We should not be driving the way we are," Vosswinkel said, his voice crackling with emotion. "We should not be endangering each other, which I see too often. ... I shouldn’t be doing this press conference. We shouldn’t have people getting hurt. We all have to take responsibility. We shouldn’t be hurting those who protect us."

Hyland’s injuries included brain bruising and bleeding, Vosswinkel said, as well as a broken femur, broken vertebrae and broken ribs. He suffered a punctured lung and injuries to a kidney. His spine was separated from his skull, which could have been fatal. Hyland spent 29 days in the intensive care unit and eight days on life support.

"For something like this to happen to him was truly tragic, and once again, a preventable tragedy," Vosswinkel said.

Hyland will recover from his injuries, Vosswinkel said, but he will require months of rehabilitation. Hyland underwent a half-dozen surgeries since the crash and may require additional operations. Hyland is married and has two teenage children, officials said.

"We have got to slow down," Nassau Police Commissioner Patrick Ryder said, echoing Vosswinkel’s plea for traffic safety. "The roads have gotten out of control."

Vosswinkel and the staff at Stony Brook University Hospital have treated numerous Suffolk police officers who have been injured in the line of duty in recent years, including Brendon Gallagher, who was severely injured while trying to stop a speeding motorist on the Long Island Expressway in January. Gallagher was at the hospital to support Hyland and said he had spoken with him several times during his hospitalization.

"He looked good," Gallagher said of Hyland. "He has a long road ahead of him but he’s a strong dude."

Gallagher looked healthy — although he did trim his trademark handlebar mustache — and said he hoped to return to work soon. Vosswinkel said Gallagher's recovery gave him optimism that Hyland will heal, too. He said the support members of law enforcement provide each other helps with the recovery process.

"With the support these guys have for each other, Mike’s gonna get back," the doctor said.

Nassau Police Benevolent Association President Tommy Shevlin said his members will continue their support of Hyland and his family — and asked the public to do the same.

"Police officers have a dangerous job," Shevlin said. "We risk our lives every day for all of you. We are willing to do it but today shows why we need your support every single day, not just when we have a tragedy."

Hyland was riding a 2020 Harley Davidson as a funeral escort on Oct. 6 when he was hit by a 2020 Toyota Tundra at the intersection of North Wellwood Avenue and Jerome Street in Lindenhurst, Suffolk police said last month in a news release.

Hyland was taken to Good Samaritan Hospital in West Islip and was later transferred to Stony Brook University Hospital for further treatment. The driver of the Tundra was not injured. No criminal charges have been filed as a result of the crash, which Ryder characterized as an "accident" and said there was no criminality. He referred questions to the Suffolk County Police Department, which is investigating the crash.

Given the extent of Hyland’s injuries, Vosswinkel said, it’s incredible that he survived.

"I don’t want to throw the word ‘miracle’ around, but it is truly remarkable," Vosswinkel said. "It’s self-fortitude, and I am not going to discount the power of the guy upstairs or the support these guys get."