Man Shot by Off-Duty Nassau Cop

Suffolk County police Sunday charged a Huntington Station man with assault after they say he drove his taxi into two off-duty Nassau County Police Department officers. During the dispute, one officer shot the taxi driver.

Police gave this account: The two Nassau officers, driving separate vehicles,  pulled over to the side of Oakwood Road, near Tippin Drive, in Huntington Station.

Thomas Moroughan, who was driving a taxi for Dobro Express, pulled up behind the men. The men engaged in an argument and Moroughan drove the taxi toward one of the officers, who was outside his vehicle. The officer fired his off-duty weapon into the taxi, identified himself as a police officer and told Moroughan to get out of the car. Moroughan refused and the second police officer came to assist. Moroughan then struck both officers with his vehicle.

Moroughan left the scene and went to Huntington Hospital for treatment of gunshot wounds to his chest and forearm. Both officers were also taken to Huntington Hospital for treatment of cuts and bruises.

Moroughan, 26, of 143 W, 19th St., was charged with reckless endangerment 2nd degree and assault 2nd degree. He will be arraigned at First District Court in Central Islip Monday.

Suffolk police did not say why the two officers had pulled off the side of the road or what provoked the argument.

The incident occurred near .