A Hauppauge man who admitted killing Nassau County Police Officer Patricia Espinosa while driving drunk also acknowledged speeding through a red light at approximately 70 mph in a 30 mph zone before the crash, as the fallen officer’s family prepares to pursue civil action against businesses that allegedly served him alcohol while underage.
Matthew Smith, 21, pleaded guilty Thursday to aggravated vehicular homicide and numerous related charges stemming from the Jan. 31, 2026 crash that killed Espinosa and seriously injured his passenger. He is expected to be sentenced on July 20 to between 7⅓ and 22 years in prison.
According to Suffolk County prosecutors, Smith and his passenger had just left Jake’s 58 Casino Hotel at approximately 6:07 a.m. when Smith drove his Chevrolet Silverado through a red light and slammed into Espinosa’s vehicle as she was driving to work. Prosecutors said Smith was traveling about 70 mph in a 30 mph zone at the time of the collision.
A chemical test later determined Smith’s blood alcohol concentration was 0.20%, more than twice New York’s legal limit. Investigators also recovered a bottle of Bacardi rum and a shot glass from inside the pickup truck.
Espinosa, 42, a nine-year veteran of the Nassau County Police Department, was transported to Stony Brook University Hospital, where she was pronounced dead. Smith’s passenger survived but suffered serious injuries, including pelvic and spinal fractures and a severe head laceration.
In a separate statement released by attorneys representing Espinosa’s family, relatives thanked Suffolk County police and prosecutors for securing the guilty plea and said they intend to pursue civil litigation against establishments where Smith allegedly purchased alcohol while underage before the crash.
According to the family’s statement, Smith admitted during his plea allocution that he obtained alcohol at several Suffolk County establishments without being asked to provide proof of age. The family argued that multiple opportunities existed that night to prevent the tragedy and said it plans to seek accountability through the civil court system.
As part of the plea agreement, Smith admitted guilt to multiple felony charges and agreed to forfeit his Chevrolet Silverado. He remains in custody pending his July 20 sentencing.
Photo: SCDA
