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Who was Anastasios Tsakos? NYPD veteran and father of 2 killed by drunk driver on Long Island Expressway

Tsakos was rushed in critical condition to New York-Presbyterian Queens Hospital, where he later succumbed to his injuries

QUEENS, NEW YORK: Anastasios Tsakos, 43, a 14-year-old veteran with New York Police Department (NYPD) and a father of two young children was killed in the early hours of Tuesday, April 27, in a road accident. The tragic incident took place while Tsakos was diverting traffic from a previous fatal crash on the Long Island Expressway in Queens. He was hit by a passing vehicle and an alleged drunk driver has been arrested.

The incident took place around 2 am on April 27. Tsakos was struck by a 2013 Volkswagen in the eastbound lanes of the LIE near Francis Lewis Boulevard. The driver, Jessica Beauvais, 32, from Hempstead was allegedly intoxicated and was driving with a suspended license when she swerved to avoid other cars and hit Tsakos as he stood next to his marked vehicle. Tsakos was taken to New York-Presbyterian Hospital where he succumbed to his injuries.

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Who was officer Anastasios Tsakos?

Officer Tsakos leaves behind his wife and two children. According to a report, his neighbors knew him as "Tasso" and were shocked to learn about his tragic death. He had moved with his family to a an East Northport neighborhood last summer and had blended beautifully with everyone. "Family man, friendly as can be and the most hardworking person you'd ever want to meet," said Moyra Bletsch, Tsakos' neighbor.

New York Mayor Bill de Blasio said, "It's a very, very painful moment. Police Officer Anastasios Tsakos gave 14 years to this city protecting people, and that's what he was doing this evening. He was out there trying make sure that everyone was safe. And he is dead because someone drove under the influence and recklessly. Someone drove with a suspended license. He's dead because he was at an accident where people had driven recklessly also with a suspended license," he added during a news conference alongside Commissioner Dermot Shea after Tsakos's death. 

Jessica Beauvais charged with vehicular manslaughter

Beauvais initially drove away from the scene after hitting Tsakos but she was arrested shortly after. She now faces several charges including two counts of vehicular manslaughter, reckless endangerment, leaving the scene of an accident resulting in death, aggravated unlicensed operator, operating motor vehicle .08 of 1% alcohol, and DWI

Other charges she is facing include reckless driving, driving without a license, DWAI alcohol, collide with emergency vehicle and right of way violation - emergency motor vehicle. The mayor spoke about people not being responsible while on the road leading to deaths. 

De Blasio pledges support to Officer Tsakos' family

"We see here a horrendous pattern, people doing the wrong thing and other people dead because of it, and one of them a hero officer who did everything right in his life for us, and he is dead because of other people's negligence," de Blasio said. "The commissioner and I just spent time with his widow, Irene, and the pain she is going through, there are no words for. But all New Yorkers need to realize, a few hours ago, she was looking forward to seeing her husband again, and now she won't."

"They will never see their father again because somebody did the wrong thing, and we have to understand, every day our officers go out looking to do the right thing. But here's a good man who won't be home," he lamented. "Just so much pain. So please everyone, realize, this family will never be whole again. What we will do is everything we can to support these children, to support this widow. But it won't be enough," the mayor added.