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An off-duty Nassau County Police officer died early Saturday when a drunk driver struck her vehicle on Route 347 in Saint James, Suffolk Police said.
Officer Patricia Espinosa, 42, was pronounced dead at Stony Brook University Hospital following the 6:06 a.m. crash at Route 347 and Alexander Avenue.
Matthew Smith, 20, of Hauppauge, was driving a 2017 Chevrolet Silverado north on Alexander Avenue when he failed to stop at a red light and smashed into Espinosa’s 2019 Alfa Romeo as it traveled west on Route 347, police said.
Smith was charged with driving while intoxicated. His passenger, John Andah, 25, of Centereach, was taken to Stony Brook University Hospital for treatment of non-life-threatening injuries, authorities said. Smith was also treated for non-life-threatening injuries.
Both vehicles were impounded and the investigation is continuing.
Espinosa was a decorated officer in Nassau Police’s Fifth Precinct and part of a law enforcement family. Her husband, Francisco Malaga, and two brothers, Christian and David Almeida, all serve as police officers. She leaves behind a 2-year-old daughter, Mia.
Espinosa came to the United States from Ecuador at age 21 without speaking English but quickly learned the language, according to a Nassau County Police Hispanic Society Facebook post in 2021. She worked as a New York State Correctional Officer for four years before joining the Nassau County’s police force in 2017.
Nassau County Executive Bruce Blakeman expressed his condolences in a statement Saturday, saying he is “heartbroken” over Espinosa’s death.
“I had the honor of marching with her in the Puerto Rican Day parade,” Blakeman told News 12 Long Island, adding that he is ordering flags to be flown at half-staff from Monday until her burial.
Nassau County PBA President Tommy Shevlin described Espinosa’s death as “a profound loss to our department, our county, and every community she protected.”
“Officer Espinosa was the heart of a true law-enforcement family,” Shevlin said in a statement. “That her life was taken in such a senseless act makes this loss even more painful.
“We stand shoulder to shoulder with her family and our brothers and sisters in uniform, and we will honor her legacy by never forgetting her service, her sacrifice, and the family she leaves behind,” Shevlin added.
Police are asking anyone with information on the crash to call the Suffolk County Police Major Case Unit at 631.852.6553.
Top: (inset) Nassau Police Officer Patricia Espinosa and (main) Espinosa at right at 2021 event where she was honored for her outstanding service (Facebook/Nassau County Police Hispanic Society and NYC Police Benevolent Association.
