OFF-DUTY NASSAU OFFICER KILLED BY ALLEGED DRUNK DRIVER IN LAKE GROVE

LAKE GROVE — A veteran Nassau County police officer and mother of a young child was killed early Saturday morning when a suspected drunk driver broadsided her vehicle near the Smith Haven Mall, authorities said.

Officer Patricia Espinosa, 42, was traveling westbound on Route 347 in her 2019 Alfa Romeo at approximately 6:05 a.m. when she was struck by a northbound 2017 Chevrolet Silverado. According to Suffolk County Police, the driver of the truck, 20-year-old Matthew Smith of Hauppauge, allegedly blew through a red light at the intersection of Alexander Avenue.

The impact of the collision was catastrophic. Espinosa was rushed to Stony Brook University Hospital, where she was later pronounced dead.

DWI Charges Pending

Smith and a passenger in his vehicle, John Andali, 25, were treated at the hospital for minor injuries. Upon his release, Smith was arrested and charged with Driving While Intoxicated.

Suffolk County Major Case Unit detectives stated that the investigation is ongoing and that Smith is likely to face upgraded charges pending the results of toxicology reports. Both vehicles have been impounded for forensic safety checks.

A ‘Profound Loss’ for Nassau County

The news of Espinosa’s death has devastated the Nassau County Police Department, where she served in the Fifth Precinct. She was part of a dedicated law enforcement family; her husband, Francisco Malaga, and her brother, Christian Almeida, are both active Nassau County officers.

Nassau County Executive Bruce Blakeman has ordered all county flags to be flown at half-staff in her memory.

> "Officer Espinosa was a dedicated public servant who spent her career protecting the residents of this county," Blakeman said in a statement. "She leaves behind a grieving husband and a two-year-old child. This is a senseless tragedy caused by the reckless actions of an individual who chose to get behind the wheel while intoxicated."

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Community in Mourning

PBA President Tommy Shevlin described Espinosa as a "bright light" in the department and urged the community to keep her family in their prayers.

"We are hurting," Shevlin said. "To lose a sister in such a preventable way is a weight that is hard to carry. We will stand by her family every step of the way."

Detectives are asking anyone with information or dashcam footage of the crash to contact the Major Case Unit at 631-852-6553 or Crime Stoppers at 1-800-220-TIPS.

IN MEMORIAM: OFFICER PATRICIA ESPINOSA

Officer Patricia Espinosa was a tenured member of the Nassau County Police Department’s Fifth Precinct, serving the communities of Elmont, Franklin Square, and West Hempstead. Known by colleagues for her sharp instincts and compassionate approach to community policing, Espinosa was a "second-generation" presence in the force, following in a family tradition of service.

She is survived by her husband, Officer Francisco Malaga, and their two-year-old child.

RESOURCES FOR VICTIMS & SURVIVORS

If you or someone you know has been affected by an impaired driving crash on Long Island, the following organizations provide support, advocacy, and legal guidance:

• MADD (Mothers Against Drunk Driving) - NY State Office

• 24-Hour Victim Help Line: 1-877-MADD-HELP (1-877-623-3435)

• Local Office: 20 Broadhollow Road, Melville, NY 11747

• Services: Crisis intervention, court accompaniment, and bereavement support groups.

• Nassau County DA’s Vehicular Crimes Bureau

• Phone: 516-571-3345

• Focus: Specialized prosecution of DWI and reckless driving cases to ensure accountability for victims.

• New York State Crime Victims Compensation

• Families of victims may be eligible for reimbursement for funeral expenses, counseling, and lost wages. Visit ovs.ny.gov for application details.

LEGAL UPDATE: WHAT’S NEXT FOR THE DEFENDANT?

Under New York State law, the initial charge of Driving While Intoxicated (VTL 1192) is often a starting point in fatal crashes. Given the death of a victim, prosecutors from the Suffolk County District Attorney’s office typically seek grand jury indictments for more severe felonies, which may include:

• Vehicular Manslaughter in the Second Degree (Class D Felony)

• Aggravated Vehicular Homicide (Class B Felony), if certain aggravating factors like a high Blood Alcohol Content (BAC) or prior record are met.

Matthew Smith is currently awaiting arraignment. We will update this story as court dates are confirmed.

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