A beloved Nassau County police officer was killed early Saturday while off-duty when a suspected drunk driver blew a red light and slammed into her on a Long Island roadway, authorities said.
Police Officer Patricia Espinosa, 42, was driving westbound in her Alfa Romeo on Route 347 in Saint James around 6:06 a.m. when the alleged impaired driver failed to stop at the red light and barreled his Chevrolet Silverado pickup truck into her, according to the Suffolk County Police Department.
Espinosa was rushed to Stony Brook University Hospital, where she was pronounced dead.
The alleged boozed-up motorist, identified as 20-year-old Matthew Smith, and his passenger, John Andali, 25, were transported to the Long Island hospital and treated for non-life-threatening injuries, police said.
Smith, of Hauppauge, was taken into custody and charged with driving while intoxicated.
Police said both wrecked vehicles were impounded and the investigation is ongoing.
Nassau County Executive Bruce Blakeman said he was “heartbroken” over the deadly crash and ordered flags be flown at half-staff until Espinosa’s funeral.
“Heartbroken over the passing of Police Officer Patricia Espinosa, a beloved member of the Fifth Precinct,” he said in a statement.
“I had the honor of marching with her in the Puerto Rican Day parade. Condolences to her husband Police Officer Francisco Malaga and her brother Police Officer Christian Almeida. I am ordering flags to be at half staff from Monday until burial.”
Espinosa, who leaves behind her two-year-old daughter, Mia, came from a law enforcement family that included her husband and two brothers, Christian and David Almeida, according to the police union.
She was hailed as a hero, with colleagues remembering her for her integrity, bravery, kindness, dedication, and selfless service.
“Patricia understood the sacrifices of this profession not just as an officer, but as a wife, a sister, and a mother in blue,” Nassau County PBA President Tommy Shevlin said in a statement on Facebook Saturday afternoon.
“That her life was taken in such a senseless act makes this loss even more painful. We stand shoulder to shoulder with her family and our brother and sisters in uniform, and we will honor her legacy by never forgetting her service, her sacrifice, and the family she leaves behind.”
Authorities encourage anyone with information on the fatal crash to call the Major Case Unit at 631-852-6553.
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