Woman Crashes Car, Found With Stolen Python Around Her Neck
A woman's collision with a firehouse ends with the return of a stolen snake.
— -- Firefighters who rushed to help the woman who crashed into their station and slammed into two firetrucks were surprised to find a python wrapped around her neck.
They were even more surprised to find that the small ball python was reported stolen from a nearby pet store.
Sarah Espinosa, 22, lost control of her 2010 Toyota Prius around 7 p.m. on Monday night while driving on Jericho Turnpike in New Hyde Park on Long Island, according to police.
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A police report states that Espinosa’s vehicle "drove over the center median striking a Nissan Maxima and continuing through the front garage door of the New Hyde Park Fire House. Her vehicle collided with two fire trucks parked in the firehouse causing damage to the vehicles."
Fire personnel at the scene rushed to aid Espinosa when they "discovered a small ball python snake wrapped around the defendant's neck," which they promptly removed and secured, according to the police report.
"Third Precinct officers responded and determined Espinosa had stolen the snake from [a Garden City] PETCO," according to the report, which also stated that Espinosa was in possession of marijuana at the time of the accident. The snake is sold at Petco for $89, a store employee said.
Espinosa was treated and released from a hospital, and the snake was returned to its home at the store, police said.
Espinosa has been charged with reckless endangerment, petit larceny, reckless driving, driving while intoxicated, and unlawful possession of marijuana.
She had not yet been arraigned. Espinosa could not be immediately reached by ABC News for comment.
