HAUPPAUGE, NY – A 21-year-old Hauppauge man has pleaded guilty to multiple felony charges stemming from a drunken driving crash that killed a Nassau County police officer and seriously injured his passenger earlier this year.
Suffolk County District Attorney Raymond A. Tierney announced that Matthew Smith, 21, of Hauppauge, pleaded guilty on June 11, 2026, to Aggravated Vehicular Homicide and numerous related charges for causing the January 31 crash that claimed the life of Patricia Espinosa, a Nassau County Police Officer who was driving to work at the time.
According to court records and Smith’s admissions during his guilty plea, he and a passenger left Jake’s 58 Casino Hotel at approximately 6:07 a.m. in Smith’s Chevrolet Silverado pickup truck. Prior to arriving at the casino, Smith had been drinking alcohol in Patchogue.
Prosecutors said Smith drove through a red light at approximately 70 miles per hour before crashing into Officer Espinosa’s vehicle. The posted speed limit on the roadway was 30 mph.
Espinosa was transported to Stony Brook University Hospital, where she was pronounced dead.
Smith’s passenger was also taken to Stony Brook University Hospital and treated for serious injuries, including pelvic fractures, spinal fractures, and a severe head laceration.
Investigators later determined that Smith’s blood alcohol concentration was 0.20, more than twice New York’s legal limit for intoxication. Authorities also recovered a bottle of Bacardi rum and a shot glass from inside the pickup truck.
During proceedings before Suffolk County Supreme Court Justice Timothy P. Mazzei, Smith pleaded guilty to two counts of Aggravated Vehicular Homicide, Vehicular Manslaughter in the First Degree, Manslaughter in the Second Degree, multiple counts of Aggravated Vehicular Assault, Assault, Driving While Intoxicated, Reckless Endangerment, Reckless Driving, and related offenses.
As part of the plea agreement, Smith is expected to receive a prison sentence of 7⅓ to 22 years, followed by three years of post-release supervision. He also agreed to forfeit his Chevrolet Silverado.
District Attorney Tierney said the crash devastated Officer Espinosa’s family and colleagues, noting that she was a wife, mother, and public servant who dedicated her career to protecting others.
Smith is scheduled to return to court for sentencing on July 20, 2026.
The case was prosecuted by Assistant District Attorneys Emma Richards and Laura Newcombe of the Suffolk County District Attorney’s Vehicular Crime Bureau. The investigation was conducted by Detective Martin Lupo of the Suffolk County Police Department’s Major Case Unit.
Key Facts & Details
| Defendant | Matthew Smith, 21, of Hauppauge |
|---|---|
| Plea Date | June 11, 2026 |
| Court | Suffolk County Supreme Court |
| Presiding Judge | Supreme Court Justice Timothy P. Mazzei |
| Incident Date | January 31, 2026 |
| Incident Time | Approximately 6:07 a.m. |
| Victim | Patricia Espinosa, Nassau County Police Officer |
| Victim Status | Deceased |
| Additional Victim | Passenger in Smith’s vehicle suffered serious injuries |
| Location Prior to Crash | Jake’s 58 Casino Hotel |
| Vehicle Driven by Defendant | Chevrolet Silverado Pickup Truck |
| Allegations | Drove While Intoxicated, Ran a Red Light, and Struck Another Vehicle |
| Estimated Speed | Approximately 70 mph in a 30 mph Zone |
| Blood Alcohol Concentration | 0.20 BAC |
| Evidence Recovered | Bottle of Bacardi Rum and a Shot Glass Found in Vehicle |
| Top Charges | Two Counts of Aggravated Vehicular Homicide (Class B Felonies) |
| Additional Charges | Vehicular Manslaughter, Manslaughter, Aggravated Vehicular Assault, Assault, DWI, Reckless Endangerment, Reckless Driving, and Traffic Infractions |
| Expected Sentence | 7⅓ to 22 Years in Prison |
| Post-Release Supervision | Three Years |
| Asset Forfeiture | Defendant Agreed to Forfeit Chevrolet Silverado |
| Next Court Date | July 20, 2026 |
| Prosecuting Agency | Suffolk County District Attorney’s Office |
| District Attorney | Raymond A. Tierney |
| Lead Investigating Agency | Suffolk County Police Department Major Case Unit |
| Lead Investigator | Detective Martin Lupo |
| Prosecutors | Assistant District Attorneys Emma Richards and Laura Newcombe |
| Case Status | Guilty Plea Entered; Sentencing Pending |
