Updated: North Merrick Fire Chief Issued Citation at Accident Scene

North Merrick Fire Department Chief James Allen was issued a citation by a New York State trooper Wednesday morning while attempting to close the southbound righthand lane because of an accident in the center lane on the Meadowbrook State Parkway.

“It wasn’t safe," Allen said.  "The weather this morning wasn’t good and cars were slipping and sliding all over the place. I had a victim and I was trying to make it as safe as possible. I have to keep my guys safe too."

Allen explained that the trooper did not want him to close the right lane of the parkway, insisting that he allow both the right and left lanes to handle the flow of traffic after the accident, which occurred around 9 a.m. near the Southern State Parkway exit in North Merrick. 

When Allen disagreed, the officer threatened to have him arrested, according to Allen, but instead, the incident ended with the state trooper issuing the citation.

“As of January 1, there is a new law in effect that says that all cars have to move over a lane when they see a disabled vehicle," Allen said.  "Now, in this case, no one could move over because the accident was in the center lane, but I had to make the scene secure."

According to New York State trooper Frank Bandiero, a spokesman, the trooper was attempting to avoid a bad traffic situation.

"There was just a difference of opinion in this situation," Bandiero said.

He added that headquarters is conducting an internal investigation regarding the matter, but the final ruling on who was in the right will come from a judge.