Driver Pleads Guilty After .20 BAC, 70 MPH Crash Killed Nassau Officer: DA

RIVERHEAD, NY — A Hauppauge man admitted he was intoxicated when he ran a red light and crashed into a Nassau County police officer who was on her way to work, killing her and seriously injuring his passenger, Suffolk County prosecutors said.

Matthew Smith, 21, pleaded guilty Wednesday to aggravated vehicular homicide and other charges in connection with the Jan. 31 crash that killed Officer Patricia Espinosa, prosecutors said. Smith is expected to be sentenced to 7⅓ to 22 years in prison.

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Smith also agreed to forfeit the Chevrolet Silverado pickup truck involved in the crash as part of the plea agreement, prosecutors said.

“Patricia Espinosa, a wife and mother who dedicated her life to protecting others, was killed on her way to work, leaving her daughter without a mother, her husband without a wife, and a family without their beloved daughter and sister,” Tierney said.

According to court documents and Smith’s admissions during his guilty plea, he and his passenger left Jake’s 58 Casino Hotel in Smith’s Chevrolet Silverado pickup truck at around 6:07 a.m. on Jan. 31.

Before arriving at the casino, Smith had been in Patchogue drinking alcohol, prosecutors said.

While driving north on Alexander Avenue in Saint James, Smith drove through a red light at approximately 70 mph and struck Espinosa’s vehicle as she was heading to work, prosecutors said.

The posted speed limit on the road is 30 mph.

Espinosa was transported to Stony Brook University Hospital, where she was pronounced dead.

Smith’s passenger was also taken to Stony Brook University Hospital, where he was treated for serious injuries, including pelvic and spinal fractures and a severe head laceration, prosecutors said.

A chemical test of Smith’s blood showed his blood alcohol concentration was .20, more than twice the legal limit, prosecutors said. A bottle of Bacardi rum and a shot glass were also found inside Smith’s truck, according to prosecutors.

Smith pleaded guilty before Supreme Court Justice Timothy Mazzei to charges including two counts of aggravated vehicular homicide, first-degree vehicular manslaughter, second-degree manslaughter, aggravated vehicular assault, second-degree assault, vehicular assault, aggravated driving while intoxicated, driving while intoxicated, reckless endangerment, reckless driving and multiple traffic infractions.

Smith is scheduled to return to court on July 20 for sentencing. Smith is represented by Anthony LaPinta, who was not immediately available for comment.

“With today’s guilty plea, the defendant has admitted responsibility for causing her death, as well as for the injuries that he caused to his passenger,” Tierney said. “While nothing will restore what the victims and their families and colleagues have lost, we hope that this plea provides them with some measure of justice.”