A Hauppauge man was sentenced to 7⅓ to 22 years in prison after he pleaded guilty in June to causing a fatal drunk driving crash that killed a Nassau County police officer.
On January 31 at approximately 6:07 a.m., Matthew Smith and his passenger left Jake’s 58 Casino Hotel in Smith’s Chevrolet Silverado pickup truck. Prior to arriving at the casino, Smith was in Patchogue drinking alcohol.
While driving, Smith drove through a red light at approximately 70 miles per hour and struck Officer Patricia Espinosa’s vehicle, while she was driving to work. The posted speed limit on that road is 30 miles per hour.
Espinosa was transported to Stony Brook University Hospital, where she was pronounced dead. Smith’s passenger was also transported to Stony Brook University Hospital, where he was treated for serious injuries, including pelvic and spinal fractures, and a severe head laceration.
A chemical test of Smith’s blood revealed that his blood alcohol concentration (BAC) was .20, more than twice the legal limit. A bottle of Bacardi rum and a shot glass were also found inside Smith’s vehicle.
On June 11, Smith, 21, pleaded guilty to the following charges before Supreme Court Justice Timothy P. Mazzei:
- two counts of Aggravated Vehicular Homicide, Class B felonies
- one count of Vehicular Manslaughter in the First Degree, a Class C felony
- one count of Manslaughter in the Second Degree, a Class C felony
- two counts of Aggravated Vehicular Assault, Class C felonies
- two counts of Assault in the Second Degree, Class D violent felonies
- one count of Vehicular Manslaughter in the Second Degree, a Class D felony
- one count of Vehicular Assault in the First Degree, a Class D felony
- one count of Vehicular Assault in the Second Degree, a Class E felony
- one count of Aggravated Driving While Intoxicated, an Unclassified misdemeanor
- two counts of Driving While Intoxicated, Unclassified misdemeanors;
- one count of Reckless Endangerment in the Second Degree, a Class A misdemeanor
- one count of Reckless Driving, an Unclassified misdemeanor
- multiple traffic infractions
On July 20, 2026, Smith was sentenced to 7⅓ to 22 years in prison. Additionally, Smith forfeited his Silverado truck as part of the plea.
“No sentence can restore what was taken from Officer Espinosa’s loved ones, but today this defendant begins paying the price for his conduct,” said Suffolk County District Attorney Ray Tierney. “He was intoxicated, speeding, and lawless behind the wheel of a 5,000-pound pickup truck, and a police officer on her way to serve her community paid with her life. This office will continue to pursue accountability for impaired drivers who destroy lives on our roads.”