Albany woman found with stolen snake after Long Island crash

PHOTOGRAPHER: Steven Cook

An Albany woman and her reptilian passenger escaped serious injury when her car slammed into a Long Island fire station Monday evening, police said.

According to police, Sara Espinosa, 22, of 38 S. Main Ave., was found after the crash with a small ball python around her neck. Espinosa was drunk, police said, and the snake had been stolen from a local pet store.

The incident happened just after 7 p.m. in New Hyde Park, Nassau County. Police said Espinosa drove over the center median on Jericho Turnpike and hit another car before crashing into the firehouse. Espinosa’s car broke through a front garage door of the station and collided with two fire trucks inside, police said.

Firefighters at the station immediately helped Espinosa, and also immediately found the python, police said. Responding police quickly determined Espinosa had stolen the snake from a local Petco in nearby Garden City Park just before the accident, police said.

Police did not say if they believe the snake contributed to the crash, or if the crash was solely the result of Espinosa’s alleged intoxication. Espinosa was also found to be in possession of marijuana, police said.

She was treated and released from a local hospital, police said, while the snake was returned to the store, apparently unharmed.

Espinosa faces one count of second-degree reckless endangerment, a misdemeanor, along with petty larceny, reckless driving, driving while intoxicated and unlawful possession of marijuana.

Espinosa was arraigned Tuesday and a plea of not guilty entered on her behalf, according to Newsday. She was ordered held on $5,000 bail.