SAINT JAMES, Long Island (WABC) — Nassau County Police are morning the loss of one of their own, killed in an alleged driving while intoxicated accident.
The accident happened in Saint James on Saturday morning, Suffolk County police said.
Officer Patricia Espinosa, 42, died after a driver allegedly failed to stop at a red light, striking her car.
Suffolk County police have charged Matthew Smith, 20, with driving while intoxicated.
Police say that Smith was driving a 2017 Chevrolet Silverado northbound on Alexander Avenue when he failed to stop at a red light, striking Espinosa’s 2019 Alfa Romeo, traveling westbound on Route 347 at 6:06 a.m.
Smith, 20, of Hauppauge, and his passenger, John Andali, 25, of Centereach, were both transported to Stony Brook University Hospital for treatment of non-life-threatening injuries.
Nassau County Executive Bruce Blakeman reacted to Espinosa’s untimely passing, saying that he is “heartbroken over the passing of Police Officer Patricia Espinosa, a beloved member of the Fifth Precinct.”
“I had the honor of marching with her in the Puerto Rican Day parade,” Blakeman said: “Condolences to her husband Police Officer Francisco Malaga and her brother Police Officer Christian Almeida. I am ordering flags to be at half staff from Monday until burial.”
———-
* More Long Island news
* Download the abc7NY app for breaking news alerts
Submit a tip or story idea to Eyewitness News
Have a breaking news tip or an idea for a story we should cover? Send it to Eyewitness News using the form below. If attaching a video or photo, terms of use apply.
Copyright © 2026 WABC-TV. All Rights Reserved.
