Privacy update — September 18, 2026: Identifying details have been removed under our victim privacy policy.
Incident location, Long Island
What Happened
A 42-year-old Nassau County Police officer was killed early Saturday morning when a pickup truck driver charged with DWI ran a red light and struck her vehicle at the intersection of Route 347 and Alexander Avenue in St. James, according to Suffolk County police. The fatal crash occurred around 6:06 a.m. as the officer was driving westbound on Route 347 during her off-duty hours.
The pickup truck driver, identified as a 20-year-old Hauppauge resident, was traveling northbound on Alexander Avenue when he allegedly ran the red light and collided with the officer’s vehicle, police said. The driver was subsequently charged with driving while intoxicated following the deadly crash that claimed the life of the veteran Nassau County officer.
The officer was transported to Stony Brook University Hospital following the collision, where she was pronounced dead, according to police. The driver and his passenger were also taken to the hospital with injuries that were described as non-life-threatening by authorities. The passenger, a 25-year-old man, was treated at the same medical facility.
Both vehicles involved in the fatal collision were impounded as the investigation into the crash continues, police confirmed. The Suffolk County Police Department is leading the investigation into the incident that occurred within their jurisdiction, while Nassau County officials have been providing information about the deceased officer’s service record.
Nassau County Executive Bruce Blakeman confirmed the officer’s identity and described her as a beloved member of the Fifth Precinct. “Heartbroken over the passing of this officer, a beloved member of the Fifth Precinct,” Blakeman said in a Facebook post on Saturday. “I had the honor of marching with her in the Puerto Rican Day parade. Condolences to her family.”
The Nassau County PBA identified the officer as a wife and mother and called her a hero. PBA President Tommy Shevlin released an extensive statement describing the profound impact of the loss. “The Nassau PBA is devastated by the tragic loss of this dedicated member of the Nassau County Police Department who gave her life in service to others,” Shevlin said. “She served with honor, courage, and compassion, and her death in a violent crash caused by a driver charged with DWI is a profound loss to our department, our county, and every community she protected.”
Shevlin further detailed the officer’s extensive family connections to law enforcement, describing her as “the heart of a true law-enforcement family.” According to the PBA president, the officer’s husband and two brothers also proudly serve as police officers. “She leaves behind a young daughter who will grow up knowing their mother was a hero,” Shevlin stated. “She understood the sacrifices of this profession not just as an officer, but as a wife, a sister, and a mother in blue.”
The PBA president emphasized the senseless nature of the crash, stating, “That her life was taken in such a senseless act makes this loss even more painful. We stand shoulder to shoulder with her family and our brothers and sisters in uniform, and we will honor her legacy by never forgetting her service, her sacrifice, and the family she leaves behind.”
Location & Road Context
The fatal collision occurred at the intersection of Route 347 and Alexander Avenue in St. James, a busy thoroughfare in Suffolk County. Route 347, also known as Nesconset Highway in this area, serves as a major east-west arterial road connecting communities across central Long Island. The roadway carries significant commuter traffic during peak hours and connects residential areas with commercial districts throughout the region.
The early morning timing of the crash, occurring around 6:06 a.m. on a Saturday, suggests relatively light traffic conditions compared to weekday rush hour periods when this intersection typically experiences heavier vehicle volume.
Investigation & Legal Proceedings
The 20-year-old Hauppauge resident has been charged with driving while intoxicated in connection with the fatal crash. The investigation remains active under the jurisdiction of Suffolk County police, who continue to examine the circumstances surrounding the collision that claimed the officer’s life.
Both vehicles involved in the crash have been impounded as part of the ongoing investigation, allowing authorities to conduct thorough examinations of the collision dynamics and gather additional evidence related to the DWI charges filed against the driver.
Broader Impact
Nassau County Executive Bruce Blakeman has ordered all flags to be flown at half-staff from Monday until the officer’s burial, reflecting the significant impact her death has had on the law enforcement community and county government. The loss highlights the risks faced by police officers both on and off duty, particularly when their lives are cut short by impaired drivers who make the dangerous decision to operate vehicles while intoxicated. Under New York State law, DWI charges in fatal crashes can result in felony vehicular manslaughter charges, carrying potential prison sentences of several years depending on the specific circumstances and the defendant’s prior record.