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Nassau Officer Patricia Espinosa to Receive Full Honors Thursday After Fatal DWI Crash

The accused driver remains hospitalized on a DWI charge with arraignment postponed pending the Suffolk County investigation.

Overview

  • Suffolk County charged 20-year-old Matthew Smith with DWI; he remains hospitalized and his arraignment is postponed for medical treatment.
  • Investigators say a Chevrolet Silverado ran a red light on Route 347 in Smithtown around 6 a.m., striking Espinosa as she drove to work.
  • Espinosa, 42, was a nine-year Nassau officer and Ecuadorian immigrant who recently testified to a grand jury in a homicide case.
  • Her wake is Wednesday at St. James Funeral Home, with a funeral Mass Thursday morning at St. Patrick’s in Smithtown and full police honors.
  • Community support has surged, with donations approaching $200,000 to assist her family.