Man Indicted in LI Crash That Killed Nassau Officer After 'Dangling Keys' at Bar: DA

Matthew Smith, 20, faces multiple charges including two counts of aggravated vehicular homicide in the death of Officer Patricia Espinosa.

Mar. 13, 2026 at 7:34pm

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A 20-year-old Hauppauge man has been indicted on 19 charges, including two counts of aggravated vehicular homicide, for a fatal crash that killed off-duty Nassau County Police Officer Patricia Espinosa. Prosecutors say Matthew Smith ignored warnings from bar patrons not to drive after drinking and was seen "dangling his keys" before getting behind the wheel of his pickup truck and speeding through a red light, striking Espinosa's vehicle and causing it to overturn. Espinosa, a 42-year-old mother, was pronounced dead at the hospital.

Why it matters

This tragic case highlights the ongoing issue of drunk and reckless driving, which continues to claim lives on Long Island and across New York State. The indictment of Matthew Smith on serious charges, including the top charge of aggravated vehicular homicide, underscores the legal consequences for those who choose to drive under the influence and disregard the safety of others on the road.

The details

According to prosecutors, Smith was driving a 2017 Chevrolet Silverado northbound on Alexander Avenue in Saint James around 6:07 a.m. on January 31, 2026 when he ran a red light at a high rate of speed and struck Espinosa's 2019 Alfa Romeo. The force of the crash caused Espinosa's vehicle to overturn. It took emergency responders over 30 minutes to extricate Espinosa from the vehicle, and she was pronounced dead at Stony Brook University Hospital. Smith's passenger, John Andali, also suffered significant injuries. Investigators found video evidence of Smith drinking at a bar in Patchogue earlier that morning, with multiple people warning him not to drive. Data from Smith's truck showed he was traveling at speeds up to 125 mph on the Long Island Expressway and 117 mph on Route 347 before the crash, and his blood alcohol level was 0.20% about 40 minutes after the collision.

  • The fatal collision occurred on January 31, 2026 at around 6:07 a.m.
  • Smith was indicted on the charges on March 13, 2026.
  • Smith is scheduled to return to court on April 20, 2026 as the case moves forward.

The players

Matthew Smith

A 20-year-old Hauppauge resident who has been indicted on 19 charges, including two counts of aggravated vehicular homicide, for the crash that killed Officer Espinosa.

Patricia Espinosa

A 42-year-old Nassau County Police Officer who was killed in the crash. She is survived by her husband, who is also a Nassau County police officer, and their two-year-old daughter.

John Andali

Smith's passenger who suffered significant injuries in the crash, including a head injury, pelvic fractures, and spinal fractures.

Ray Tierney

The Suffolk County District Attorney who described the case as a stark example of the dangers of reckless and intoxicated driving.

Tommy Shevlin

The Nassau County Police Benevolent Association President who spoke alongside Espinosa's family members, describing her as an "unbelievable human being" and stating "This was not an accident. This was a total disregard for human life."

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What they’re saying

“She was a wife, a sister, a daughter, and most importantly, a mother. Very, very tragic outcome. This case obviously is about the defendant and about the victim in this case, Officer Espinosa, but it is also sobering not only here in Suffolk County, but across New York State, where individuals are repeatedly driving a car in a reckless manner.”

— Ray Tierney, Suffolk County District Attorney

“The evidence is such that there's clear evidence of a persistent attitude on the part of this defendant that he was going to engage in reckless conduct. The allegation is that the other patrons of the bar said you should not be driving, and not only did he disregard that, but he sort of dangled the keys to let them know I'm not only driving.”

— Ray Tierney, Suffolk County District Attorney

“She was an unbelievable human being. This was not an accident. This was a total disregard for human life.”

— Tommy Shevlin, Nassau County Police Benevolent Association President

“Life will never be the same. We will move on because we have to, but we will never forget Patty.”

— Tommy Shevlin, Nassau County Police Benevolent Association President

What’s next

The judge in the case will decide on April 20 whether or not to allow Matthew Smith out on bail as the case moves forward.

The takeaway

This tragic case serves as a stark reminder of the devastating consequences that can result from drunk and reckless driving. It underscores the need for continued education, enforcement, and legislative action to address the ongoing public safety issue of impaired driving in New York State.