“Long Island Pizza Strong” Fundraiser Wednesday, Feb. 25, Benefitting Family of Fallen NCPD Officer
Over 300 pizzerias across Nassau, Suffolk, and Queens counties on Wednesday, February 25 are participating in a “Long Island Pizza Strong” fundraiser to support the family of Nassau County Police Officer Patricia Espinosa, who was killed after being struck by an alleged drunk driver.
$5 from every pizza sold at participating pizza parlors and Italian restaurants will be donated to assist her loved ones and honor her service.
“Pizzerias across Long Island are coming together to support our community in the fight against drunk driving — in loving memory of Officer Patricia Espinosa,” Long Island Pizza Strong’s website said. “LI Pizza Strong is raising funds to support Officer Espinosa’s family after her tragic passing at the hands of a drunk driver. 100% of all proceeds will be donated directly to her family.”
Officer Espinosa was tragically killed in Saint James on Saturday, January 31 when alleged drunk driver Matthew Smith was driving a 2017 Chevrolet Silverado northbound on Alexander Avenue when he failed to stop at a red light.
Smith reportedly struck the 2019 Alfa Romeo being driven by Espinosa, which was traveling westbound on Route 347 at 6:06 a.m. while heading to work. In a tragic turn of events, her husband – Francisco Malaga, also a Nassau County officer – was driving behind her while also on his way to work, and discovered the fatal crash scene where his wife lost her life.
Espinosa, originally from Ecuador, was a nine-year veteran of the NCPD was assigned to the 5th Precinct. She is survived by her husband and a young daughter.
Smith, 20, of Hauppauge, was charged with Driving While Intoxicated; further charges may be added pending an investigation.
Long Island Pizza Strong was originally created in September 2023, initially as a fundraising effort to help the families of a Farmingdale school bus crash, raising over $100,000.
Since its inception, Long Island Pizza Strong has grown to a network of hundreds of restaurants, many of whom are pitching in for Wednesday’s important effort.
“Let’s honor her the right way,” the group said on social media. “Let’s make Long Island show up strong.”
To see a full list of 304 participating restaurants in Wednesday’s event, please visit Long Island Pizza Strong’s Facebook page or the organization’s official website at https://lipizzastrong.com.
