Gair, Gair, Conason, Rubinowitz, Bloom, Hershenhorn, Steigman & Mackauf is a New York Plaintiff's personal injury law firm specializing in automobile accidents, construction accidents, medical malpractice, products liability, police misconduct and all types of New York personal injury litigation.

Articles Posted in Long Island Auto Accident

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Officer Patricia Espinosa Case: Criminal Sentencing Marks One Step as Civil Lawsuit Seeks Accountability from All Responsible PartiesThe criminal sentencing of the driver responsible for the death of Nassau County Police Officer Patricia Espinosa represents an important milestone in the pursuit of justice. But for Officer Espinosa’s family, the legal process is far from over.

On July 20, 2026, Matthew Smith, who was 20 years old at the time of the crash, was sentenced to 7 1/3 to 22 years in prison for causing the fatal drunk driving collision that claimed Officer Espinosa’s life. The sentence brings closure to the criminal prosecution, but a separate civil wrongful death lawsuit continues against the businesses and individuals alleged to have unlawfully provided alcohol to the underage driver in the hours leading up to the crash.

The civil case raises an important question that extends beyond one driver’s criminal conduct: Who else bears responsibility when an entirely preventable tragedy occurs?

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Espinosa-Visual-with-Flag-2The family of Nassau County Police Officer Patricia Espinosa has filed a wrongful death lawsuit in Nassau County Supreme Court against multiple Long Island businesses, a social host, and the underage drunk driver responsible for the fatal Long Island car accident that claimed her life.

The lawsuit alleges that several bars, restaurants, and a liquor store illegally sold or served alcohol to Matthew Smith, who was only 20 years old, before the January 31, 2026 crash. In addition to pursuing claims against Smith, the lawsuit seeks to hold every party accountable whose alleged unlawful conduct contributed to this preventable tragedy.

The case serves as a reminder that under New York law, liability for a serious drunk driving accident may extend beyond the impaired driver. Businesses and individuals who illegally provide alcohol to underage persons may also be held legally responsible when their actions contribute to catastrophic injuries or wrongful death.

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Statement of New York car accident lawyer Howard Hershenhorn on Espionosa caseA driver accused of causing a fatal drunk-driving crash that killed Nassau County Police Officer Patricia Espinosa has been indicted and arraigned on multiple felony charges in Suffolk County.
Matthew Smith, 20, of Hauppauge, was arraigned on March 13, 2026, on charges including aggravated vehicular homicide, vehicular manslaughter, aggravated vehicular assault, and driving while intoxicated in connection with the January crash. Prosecutors allege that Smith had a blood alcohol content of approximately .20, more than twice the legal limit—and ran a red light before crashing into Officer Espinosa’s vehicle.
Officer Espinosa, 42, was on her way to work at the Nassau County Police Department’s Fifth Precinct when the crash occurred. A devoted public servant, she had served with the department since 2017.
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Hit-and-Run-Injury-in-Lake-RonkonkomaA 13-year-old boy riding his e-bike was left seriously injured after a hit-and-run crash in Lake Ronkonkoma on Tuesday night, adding to the troubling rise in e-bike accidents across Suffolk County. According to Suffolk County police, Travis Wertovitch of Ronkonkoma was struck around 8:30 p.m. while riding north on Hawkins Avenue. A southbound driver in a 2012 white Ford Fusion made a left turn onto School Street and hit him before fleeing the scene.

Wertovitch was transported to Stony Brook University Hospital with serious but non-life-threatening injuries. Police later arrested a 47-year-old woman in connection with the crash.

As NY bicycle accident lawyers, we are all too familiar with the devastating consequences of e-bike crashes and hit-and-run collisions. These cases present unique legal challenges that require attorneys with trial experience and a deep understanding of both traffic law and the fast-evolving world of e-bike regulations.

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the NY parking lot where the toddler was killed by a driverA tragic accident at Belmont Lake State Park in North Babylon claimed the life of a 2-year-old child on Sunday afternoon, underscoring the devastating consequences of parking lot collisions and the need for heightened safety in areas where children are present.

According to New York State Police, the incident occurred at approximately 2:45 p.m. when a 2016 Acura struck the toddler in a parking lot inside the park. Emergency responders transported the child to Good Samaritan Hospital in West Islip, where the child was pronounced dead.

Authorities reported that the driver of the Acura immediately called 911, remained at the scene, and cooperated fully with investigators. Police have classified the collision as a tragic accident, and no criminal charges are expected.

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drunk drivingAs attorneys representing victims of drunk driving car accidents, we see firsthand the devastating consequences impaired drivers leave behind. With Memorial Day marking the start of what safety officials call the “100 Deadliest Days of Summer,” heightened DWI enforcement efforts are not only timely—they’re necessary.

This year, the Nassau County District Attorney’s Office awarded $30,000 DWI enforcement grants to both the Long Beach and Freeport Police Departments. The goal: reduce the number of impaired drivers on Long Island’s roads during peak summer months through stepped-up patrols, sobriety checkpoints, and targeted DWI initiatives.

Why the Summer DWI Crackdown Matters

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Kerry And her Son EliIn a tragic car accident that highlights the deadly consequences of driving under the influence, a 9-year-old boy was tragically killed by his own mother after she drove the wrong way on Long Island’s Southern State Parkway while allegedly intoxicated. The devastating frontal collision, which involved multiple vehicles, occurred in the early hours of Thursday morning and has left a community in mourning as the legal implications for the mother, who now faces serious charges, unfold.

The crash took place around 2:20 a.m. near exit 42 in Islip. The driver, 32-year-old Kerri Bedrick, allegedly under the influence, was driving in the wrong direction for approximately five miles before the fatal collision occurred. According to police reports, a Suffolk County sheriff’s patrol officer had spotted Bedrick’s vehicle earlier and attempted to initiate a traffic stop. However, Bedrick allegedly sped up, evading the officer and continuing her wrong-way journey, which ended in a horrific head-on crash.

The collision was so severe that parts of the vehicle were found in the woods, a testament to the sheer force of the impact. Tragically, her 9-year-old son, Eli, who was seated in the back of the car, succumbed to his injuries despite the valiant efforts of first responders.

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The Hawaii Nail Spa in Deer Park where the accident occurredThe recent tragedy in Deer Park, Long Island, where a drunk driver crashed into a nail salon, killing four and injuring nine, underscores the devastating impact of drunk driving. As car accident lawyers, we are committed to representing victims of such reckless behavior, ensuring they receive the justice and compensation they deserve.

On June 28, Steven Schwally, a 64-year-old retiree, drove his SUV at an alarming speed of 78 mph before crashing into the Hawaii Nail & Spa store. The collision resulted in the tragic deaths of four individuals, including an off-duty NYPD officer, and left nine others injured. Schwally, with a blood alcohol content of 0.17, more than twice the legal limit, has been indicted on multiple charges, including murder and vehicular manslaughter.

This case is a stark reminder of the severe consequences of drunk driving. Schwally’s decision to drive under the influence, combined with his excessive speed, led to an unimaginable loss for the victims’ families. Prosecutors highlighted Schwally’s total disregard for public safety, emphasizing the depraved indifference to human life exhibited by his actions.

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drunk drivingOn June 28, Deer Park, Long Island, witnessed a tragic incident when an alleged drunk driver, Steven Schwally, crashed into the Hawaii Nail and Spa. This accident resulted in the deaths of four individuals and left nine others injured. The case brings to light several critical legal aspects surrounding drunk driving incidents.

Steven Schwally, 64, allegedly drove under the influence with a blood alcohol level of .17, more than twice the legal limit. This information was released on Friday by the NYPD. The crash resulted in the deaths of Meizi Zhang, Yan Xu, salon co-owner Jiancai Chen, and off-duty NYPD Officer Emilia Rennhack. Nine others, including a 12-year-old girl, sustained injuries.

Legal Proceedings

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drunk drivingIn a poignant day of justice and sorrow, two separate cases of drunk driving that resulted in five tragic deaths saw the perpetrators sentenced in Nassau County. The courtrooms were filled with emotional outpourings from grieving families, marking the end of a painful chapter but also a stark reminder of the devastating consequences of driving under the influence.

Case One: High-Speed Tragedy in Laurel Hollow

Sotirios Spanos, 33, was sentenced to seven to 21 years in prison for his reckless actions last August that claimed the lives of Ismenia and Odalis Urena, a young married couple. Spanos, intoxicated and speeding at nearly 100 mph, lost control on Northern Boulevard, crossing the yellow line and colliding with the couple’s Ferrari convertible.

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