Suspect in death of Nassau officer turned away from Jake’s 58 hours before crash
Visitation and funeral services will take place this week.
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Nassau County police officer Patricia Espinosa, 42, is being remembered by loved ones after an alleged drunk driver struck and killed her early Saturday morning while she was on her way to work.
Information confirmed today reveals new details about what happened in the moments before the crash just two miles from Espinosa's St. James home.
Suspected drunk driver Matthew Smith, 20, tried to enter Jake' 58 Casino Hotel in Islandia around 5 a.m., according to a casino spokesperson, who said Smith was turned away within minutes because the casino was closed.
The casino is about five miles away from the crash site.
An hour later, Suffolk County police said Smith ran a red light at the intersection of Alexander Avenue and Route 347 near the Smith Haven Mall, striking and killing Espinosa.
Police charged the 20-year-old with driving while intoxicated.
Smith and his passenger were taken to Stony Brook University Hospital with non-life-threatening injuries.
The Suffolk County District Attorney's office said Smith will not be arraigned today and no date for when that will happen has been set yet.
Espinosa lived in St. James with her husband and fellow Nassau County police officer Francisco Malaga and their young daughter. Her brother David serves in the Philadelphia Police Department and her brother Cristian is also a member of the Nassau County Police Department.
Espinosa joined the department in December of 2017 and was with the Fifth Precinct, which serves Elmont, Franklin Square, West Hempstead, Valley Stream, North Valley Stream, Lakeview, South Floral Park and Garden City South.
Her loved ones remember her for her infectious smile, passion for the community and tireless dedication to anyone in need.
Espinosa was part of the Nassau County Police Hispanic Society and the Make-A-Wish Foundation.
Originally from Ecuador, she came to the United States at the age of 21.
Visitation is scheduled for Wednesday, Feb. 4, from 2 p.m. to 4 p.m. and 7 p.m. to 9 p.m. at the St. James Funeral Home at 829 Middle Country Rd. in St. James.
A funeral mass is set to take place the next day, on Thursday, Feb. 5, at 9:45 a.m. at St. Patrick's Roman Catholic Church at 280 E. Main St. in Smithtown.
