Suffolk County Police announced that a man who had been arrested for allegedly driving while intoxicated following a motor vehicle crash that killed a Nassau County Police Officer in Saint James on Saturday, January 31 is set to be arraigned on charges related to that incident.
Matthew Smith was driving a 2017 Chevrolet Silverado northbound on Alexander Avenue when he failed to stop at a red light and struck a 2019 Alfa Romeo traveling westbound on Route 347 at 6:06 a.m.
The driver of the Alfa Romeo, NCPD Officer Patricia Espinosa, 42, was transported to Stony Brook University Hospital where she was pronounced dead.
Smith, 20, of Hauppauge, and his passenger, John Andali, 25, of Centereach, were both transported to Stony Brook University Hospital for treatment of non-life-threatening injuries. Smith, 20, of Hauppauge, was charged with Driving While Intoxicated.
Both vehicles were impounded and the investigation is continuing.
Matthew Smith was held at the Sixth Precinct, located at 400 Route 25 in Selden, for arraignment at First District Court in Central Islip on Friday, February 6.
Detectives are asking anyone with information on the crash to call the Major Case Unit at 631-852-6553.
A criminal charge is an accusation. A defendant is presumed innocent until and unless proven guilty.