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 Tagged with wrongful death long Island

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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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Pool owners have legal responsibility to make their pool safeIn an alarming span of just 24 hours, three separate drowning incidents occurred in backyard pools across Long Island, leaving communities in East Meadow, Wyandanch, and East Northport reeling from the loss. As personal injury attorneys, these tragic events underscore the critical importance of pool safety and the legal implications that often follow such devastating accidents.

The Heartbreaking Incidents

On Thursday afternoon, first responders were summoned to a home on Second Avenue in East Meadow after a 7-year-old boy was found unresponsive in a backyard pool. Despite swift transport to a nearby hospital, the young boy was tragically pronounced dead. The sorrow and shock felt by the family and community are immeasurable.

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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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