Kevin Vesey

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Feb 2, 2026, 6:20 PM

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Updated

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News 12 is learning more about the moments leading up to a fatal crash that killed Nassau County Police Officer Patricia Espinosa early Saturday morning in Saint James.

The 42-year-old officer was killed around 6 a.m. at the intersection of Alexander Avenue and Route 347 when her vehicle was struck by another car.

The other driver, identified as 20-year-old Matthew Smith, of Hauppauge, is charged with driving while intoxicated. Espinosa was on her way to work at the time of the crash.

Espinosa leaves behind her husband, who is also a Nassau County police officer, and their 2-year-old daughter.

Investigators say Smith was at Jake’s 58 Casino Hotel in Islandia, roughly an hour before the crash. A spokesperson for the casino said Smith briefly entered the building around 5 a.m. but was turned away because the casino was closed at that hour.

The crash happened about an hour later, roughly 5 miles away from the casino.

Smith and his passenger were taken to Stony Brook University Hospital with injuries not considered life-threatening. Smith remains hospitalized and may be arraigned as early as Monday, according to authorities.