GoFundMe for fallen Nassau cop nears $170,000

A GoFundMe for Nassau County officer Patricia Espinosa raised nearly $170,000 in under 24 hours after she was killed in an early-morning crash; authorities say a 20-year-old driver has been charged with driving while intoxicated and is awaiting arraignment while recovering in hospital.

A fundraiser organized by the Nassau County Police Hispanic Society has raised nearly $170,000 in less than 24 hours for the family of Nassau County Police Officer Patricia Espinosa after she was killed in an early-morning crash. Authorities reported a suspected drunk driver ran a red light and collided with Espinosa’s vehicle on Route 347 in St. James. She was taken to Stony Brook University Hospital, where she died. Espinosa, 42, served with the Nassau Police Department since 2017 and is described in the fundraiser and union statements as a mentor and community-minded officer who leaves behind a husband and a two-year-old daughter. Known details: - The GoFundMe, organized by the Nassau County Police Hispanic Society, raised nearly $170,000 in under 24 hours. - Police reported a suspected drunk driver ran a red light on Route 347 in St. James and struck Officer Espinosa; she later died at Stony Brook University Hospital. - The 20-year-old driver has been charged with driving while intoxicated and has not yet been arraigned while he recovers in hospital. Summary: The fundraising response has been swift and sizable, reflecting community attention to Espinosa’s service and the family she leaves behind. Authorities have charged the driver with driving while intoxicated, and an arraignment is pending while he remains in medical care.