Articles Tagged with car accident Long Island

A 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.