Police say a 20-year-old ran a red light in St. James, striking Officer Patricia Espinosa’s car.
ST. JAMES, NY — An off-duty Nassau County police officer died early Saturday after a pickup truck allegedly ran a red light and crashed into her vehicle on Route 347 in St. James, Suffolk County. The driver of the truck, a 20-year-old from Hauppauge, was arrested on a charge of driving while intoxicated, authorities said.
The death of Officer Patricia Espinosa, 42, comes as police on Long Island enter one of the busiest enforcement periods for impaired driving. Investigators said Espinosa was heading west just after sunrise when a northbound pickup failed to stop at the signal and struck her Alfa Romeo at the intersection with Alexander Avenue. The collision killed her and injured two men in the truck. The case remains under investigation as prosecutors review potential additional charges beyond the initial DWI count.
Police said the crash happened at about 6:06 a.m. Saturday at the lighted intersection near the Smith Haven Mall. Espinosa was taken to Stony Brook University Hospital, where she was pronounced dead. The truck’s driver, identified by police as Matthew Smith, 20, of Hauppauge, and his passenger, 25-year-old John Andali, were treated for non-life-threatening injuries. “This is a profound and senseless loss,” Nassau County Police Benevolent Association President Tommy Shevlin said in a statement, calling Espinosa a respected member of the Fifth Precinct who served with “honor, courage and compassion.”
Officials said Smith was driving a 2017 Chevrolet Silverado north on Alexander Avenue when he allegedly failed to stop for the red light and hit Espinosa’s westbound 2019 Alfa Romeo on Route 347. Police said speed and alcohol are part of the ongoing investigation. Espinosa was off duty at the time. Suffolk County police said both occupants of the pickup were transported to a hospital for evaluation, and detectives interviewed witnesses and collected surveillance video from nearby businesses. Authorities did not immediately release Smith’s blood-alcohol content, and it was not known whether he had retained an attorney.
Espinosa joined the Nassau County Police Department in 2017 and was assigned to the Fifth Precinct, colleagues said. She was remembered as a proud Hispanic officer who marched in the Puerto Rican Day Parade and mentored younger colleagues. County Executive Bruce Blakeman said flags would be flown at half-staff beginning Monday until her burial, describing Espinosa as a devoted public servant and mother whose loss is felt across Nassau County. The union said she leaves behind a 2-year-old daughter and family members in law enforcement. Tributes from officers and residents described her as calm under pressure and generous off duty.
Saturday’s collision unfolded in a busy commercial corridor where traffic builds early for mall workers and shoppers. The Route 347 and Alexander Avenue intersection is controlled by signals and turn lanes; by midmorning, tow trucks removed the mangled sedan and dented pickup as detectives mapped skid marks and debris fields. A florist near the corner set a small bouquet against a light pole as drivers slowed to look. “It was a hard hit,” said Daniel Ruiz, who works at a nearby coffee shop and arrived minutes after the impact. “The light was red on Alexander. People were just standing in the road, stunned.”
Prosecutors from the Suffolk County district attorney’s office are reviewing the case for additional charges that could include vehicular manslaughter, depending on lab results and crash reconstruction findings, according to officials familiar with the process. Smith was booked on the misdemeanor DWI count and is expected to appear in Suffolk County District Court in the coming days, authorities said. Police said detectives from the Major Case Unit are leading the investigation, which includes a search warrant for vehicle data, toxicology testing, and a canvass for additional video. Funeral plans for Espinosa had not been announced as of Sunday.
Impaired driving remains a persistent hazard on Long Island roadways. New York State data show alcohol-related crashes spike during late-night and early-morning hours, when traffic is lighter but speeds increase. Officers in Nassau and Suffolk routinely deploy DWI patrols along major corridors such as Route 347, the Long Island Expressway and Sunrise Highway. Colleagues said Espinosa often volunteered for community events tied to those enforcement campaigns, including youth talks about safe driving, and was known to check on crash victims after cases ended.
By Sunday afternoon, officers gathered outside the Fifth Precinct to share memories and deliver meals to Espinosa’s shift. “Patricia loved the job and the people we serve,” Officer Melissa Ortiz said, standing with several co-workers. “She was the person you wanted next to you on a tough call.” Outside Stony Brook University Hospital, where Espinosa was pronounced dead, a small line of patrol cars formed for an informal honor guard, their lights steady but sirens silent. Neighbors near the intersection said they planned to place candles along the sidewalk at dusk.
As of Sunday evening, Smith remained in police custody on the DWI charge while investigators finalized paperwork for court. Officials said they expect to release further details on Monday, including the timing of his first appearance and any upgraded counts based on test results. Espinosa’s department said it would share funeral arrangements and honor guard plans once the family sets a date, and county offices will keep flags at half-staff until her burial.
Author note: Last updated February 1, 2026.