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But first tonight, a Nassau police officer is being remembered for her heart, her generosity, and devotion to her family. Yes, the husband and brother of Officer Patricia Espinoza are speaking for the first time since the crash that took Espinoza's life. News 12, Cecilia Dowd has their heartbreaking story. One of the reasons why I fell in love with her because. The kind of heart she had was just amazing. Several years ago, Nassau police officer Patricia Espinoza invited fellow officer Francisco Malaga to a party. I was going through rough times then and uh. I got to the party and there she was and she was amazing and that's when I, I was like I fell in love with her. Patricia, her family says, loved fiercely and widely. She adored her husband, her daughter Mia, not yet 2 years old, their miracle baby, and all people, even strangers. I want her to be remembered. That person who will be there for you. At all times on Saturday morning before leaving separately for work, Officer Espinoza and her husband kissed goodbye. We always did. I'm glad I did that. What did you say? I love you. On his way to work, Officer Malaga noticed an accident. My nature. I, I told myself I gotta stop and help out. His wife had been struck and killed by a 20-year-old who was allegedly drunk behind the wheel. Officer Malaga says he's trying to be strong for their daughter, who's still waiting for her mommy to come home. It breaks my heart. To know that I, I have a child that uh that has to be. Going without a mom And we had so many plans and um. Now everything is just. Taking away from us, she was more than just mom to Mia. Officer Espinoza's brother Christian, also a police officer, says she was like a second mom to him. It's because of her that I have pretty much the life, amazing life that I have now. Because she motivated all of us, the family moved to the US from Ecuador when Officer Espinoza was a young woman. She was always the family cheerleader, constantly checking in on her younger brothers and sister, family-oriented, driven, devoted to her job as a Nassau police officer, a social butterfly, and always, always happy, very dedicated. Absolutely amazing one of its kind. You will never see that again. Like a soul like that is rare. Cecilia Dowd, News 12. It's just a tragedy for that family, and visitations for Officer Espinoza will be held Wednesday in Saint James. Her funeral is Thursday, and we have learned that the CPEG-based Promise of Hope Foundation is covering the costs for the officer's family.

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An off-duty Nassau County police officer was killed in a crash involving a suspected drunk driver, according to police. It happened this morning in Suffolk. News Twelve's Jeremy Skiba is at the scene near the border of Saint James and Lake Grove. So Jeremy, what are you learning about this crash? Good evening. Police say that the victim was 42-year-old Patricia Espinoza, a Nassau County police officer, and here's a look at the scene behind me here almost 12 hours later, as you can see, there's a pickup truck behind those two police cars there. That pickup truck was. In a snow bank and they had to use a front loader to take it out. Espinoza's car has since been towed away. Middle Country Road on eastbound 347 is now opened and like I said before, the crash happened around 6 a.m. this morning and almost 12 hours later, police are still on the scene. Suffolk County police say Matthew Smith of Hopog was traveling north on Alexander Avenue in his pickup truck when he blew a red light and hit Patricia Espinoza's car. Investigators say the 20-year-old was drunk behind the wheel. I saw the pickup truck parked on the embankment over there, and it just looked bad. I've, I've, you know, we've been this store has been here for years and I've never seen a police presence like that. Espinoza, who worked in Nassau's 5th precinct, was rushed to the hospital but later died, leaving behind a husband who was also a police officer and a 2-year-old child. That is so sad, really, that is so sad that my heart. My thoughts go out to her and her family. Smith and his passenger, 25-year-old John Andalli of Center Reach, were each taken to a local hospital with minor injuries. Drivers tell us speeding is a constant problem along this stretch of road. Everybody drives crazy over here. Like that's just kind of expected, especially down 347. Like sometimes in the morning on my way to work, people will be going like 80. And Nassau County Executive Bruce Blakeman says flags will be flown at half-staff starting Monday until Espinoza's burial in Lake Ropesuppa County. Jeremy Skiba, News 12. All right, Jeremy, thank you for that report. This is heartbreaking. The Nassauli PBA president releasing a statement saying in part, Officer Espinoza was the heart of a true law enforcement family. Her husband and her brother both proudly serve as police officers, and she leaves behind a two year old child who will grow up knowing their mother was a hero.

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The Atwell family, which organizes a fundraiser each year for a different cause, hosted this year’s event.

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