Patricia Espinosa, 42, a Nassau County police officer and mother of a 2-year-old, died after her vehicle was struck on Jan. 31 by a pickup truck whose driver allegedly ran a red light. The driver, 20-year-old Matthew Smith, has been charged with DWI; both he and his passenger suffered non-life-threatening injuries. Local officials ordered flags at half-staff and police unions praised Espinosa's service while the Major Case Unit continues its investigation.
Nassau County Officer Patricia Espinosa, 42, Killed by Suspected Drunk Driver; Community Mourns
Patricia EspinosaNassau County Police Medic Assoc.
Patricia Espinosa, a 42-year-old officer with the Nassau County Police Department and mother of a 2-year-old daughter, was killed early on Jan. 31 after her vehicle was struck by a suspected drunk driver while she was driving to work.
Patricia EspinosaNassau County Police Medic Assoc.
The crash occurred at 6:06 a.m. on Route 347 in Suffolk County when a 2017 Chevrolet Silverado, driven by 20-year-old Matthew Smith of Hauppauge, allegedly ran a red light at the intersection with Alexander Avenue and struck Espinosa's 2019 Alfa Romeo, according to a Suffolk County Police Department news release.
Bruce Blakeman with a group of police officers, including Patricia EspinosaBruce Blakeman/Instagram
Espinosa was transported to Stony Brook University Hospital, where she was pronounced dead. Smith and his passenger, 25-year-old John Andali of Centereach, were also taken to Stony Brook with injuries described as non-life-threatening. Smith has been charged with driving while intoxicated (DWI). Both vehicles involved in the collision have been impounded and the crash remains under investigation.
Patricia EspinosaNassau County Police Medic Assoc.
Community Response and Tributes
Nassau County Executive Bruce Blakeman ordered flags flown at half-staff beginning Monday, Feb. 2, through the officer's burial. Blakeman wrote on Instagram that he was "heartbroken over the passing of Police Officer Patricia Espinosa," recalling marching alongside her in the Puerto Rican Day Parade and extending condolences to her husband, Police Officer Francisco Malaga, and her brother, Police Officer Christian Almeida.
Tommy Shevlin, president of the Nassau County Police Benevolent Association, described Espinosa as a "dedicated" officer who served "with honor, courage and compassion," calling her death "a profound loss" for the department and the communities she protected.
The Nassau County Police Medic Association also posted a tribute, calling Espinosa a "dedicated public servant and cherished colleague" who served the 5th Precinct with courage and compassion. Shevlin noted that Espinosa joined the Nassau Police Department in 2017 and leaves behind her daughter, Mia, who he said "will grow up knowing her mother was a hero."
Investigation and How to Help
Suffolk County Police continue to investigate the circumstances of the collision. Anyone with information is asked to contact the Major Case Unit at 631-852-6553.
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