Taxing Long Island
News12 New York
Download the App
Where to Watch
Local
Crime
Weather
beWell
The East End
Crime Files
Stony Brook Medicine
FIFA World Cup

Police: Tow truck operator fatally struck by vehicle on Sunrise Highway

Police say 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 hit.

News 12 Staff

Apr 15, 2025, 3:05 PM

Updated

Share:

Top Stories

A tow truck operator was fatally struck by a vehicle Tuesday in Bay Shore, police say.

It happened 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. That's when he was struck by a passing car.

Police say that Anthony Licalzi, the driver of the car that hit the tow truck operator, then crossed several lanes of traffic before striking the center median.

Rodriguez was pronounced dead at the scene.

Licalzi, 38, of Massapequa, was not injured.

The crash caused a portion of westbound Sunrise Highway to be closed for hours. It has since reopened.

A GoFundMe has been created to support Rodriguez's family.

Top Stories

App StoreGoogle Play Store

info

Newsletter

Send Photos/Videos

Contact

About Us

News Team

News 12 New York

follow us

Twitter

Facebook

Instagram

more resources

Optimum Corporate

Optimum Service

Advertise on News 12

Careers

Content Removal Policy

© 2026 N12N, LLC

Privacy Policy

Terms of Service

Ad Choices