PATCHOGUE, NY – A 21-year-old driver has pleaded guilty to aggravated vehicular homicide after a night of heavy drinking ended in a high-speed crash that killed a beloved Long Island police officer.
Defiant Actions Before the Crash
According to the Suffolk County District Attorney’s Office, Matthew Smith, 21, was drinking heavily at the James Joyce bar in Patchogue on January 31. Bar patrons reportedly begged Smith not to get behind the wheel, but he defiantly dangled his car keys at them before leaving.
Smith and a passenger he had just met then left in his Chevrolet Silverado pickup truck, heading toward a nearby casino before changing routes.
The Fatal Collision
Prosecutors detailed that Smith was driving at roughly 70 mph in a 30 mph zone when he ran a red light. His blood alcohol content (BAC) was .20%, which is more than twice the legal limit.
Smith’s truck slammed into a vehicle driven by 42-year-old Nassau County Police Officer Patricia Espinosa, who was on her way to work. The impact caused Espinosa’s car to flip over, trapping her inside the wreckage for more than 30 minutes before first responders could free her. She later died at Stony Brook Hospital.
Severe Injuries and Evidence
The crash also left Smith’s passenger with serious injuries, including pelvic and spinal fractures. Investigators later recovered a bottle of Bacardi rum and a shot glass from inside Smith’s truck.
Officer Espinosa was a dedicated wife and mother. Suffolk District Attorney Ray Tierney stated that while nothing can restore what the family has lost, the guilty plea provides a measure of justice.
Facing Decades in Prison
Smith pleaded guilty to over a dozen charges on Thursday. As part of his plea deal, he faces up to 22 years in prison, followed by three years of post-release supervision, and must forfeit his truck. His sentencing is scheduled for June 20.
