Nassau County Police arrested an Albany woman on Monday, Aug. 4 after she crashed into the front garage door of the New Hyde Park Fire House on Jerich Turnpike last week. But what fire officials discovered on the driver’s person is what made the crash much more unusual.
According to police, Sarah Espinosa, 22, was driving her 2010 Toyota Prius westbound on Jericho Turnpike when she drove over the center median striking a Nissan Maxima and two signs before continuing through the fire house garage door. Her vehicle collided with two fire trucks.
Fire personnel at the department discovered a small ball python snake wrapped around the defendants neck, police said.
Third Precinct officers said Espinosa had stolen the snake from the PETCO in Garden City Park just prior to the accident. The snake was returned to the store. During the investigation, Espinosa was found to be in possession of marijuana, police said.
Espinosa was treated and released from Winthrop University-Hospital in Mineola. She was charged with second degree reckless endangerment, petit larceny, driving while intoxicated, reckless driving and unlawful possession of marijuana.
According to online court filings, Judge Scott Siller suspended Espinosa’s driver’s license and held or on bail of $5,000 cash or bond.
