A high-ranking police official says a Nassau County highway patrol officer has been struck and killed while investigating an accident on the Long Island Expressway.

The official said the officer was fatally struck around 5 a.m. Thursday in North Hills. He was investigating an accident involving another vehicle.

The official was not authorized to speak about the incident publicly and therefore talked to The Associated Press on condition of anonymity.

Eastbound expressway lanes were closed in North Hills. The accident occurred between exits 34 and 36.

Nassau County Police Commissioner Thomas Dale and County Executive Edward Mangano scheduled a noon press conference on the investigation.

(AP)