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.