Police in Long Island have reported that a woman drove her Toyota Prius to a shopping center in Garden City Park, New York, where she stole a ball python from a Petco store. She then jumped into her car and took off when store employees noted the theft and attempted to stop her.
Police were called, but they did not pursue. In the meantime, having made off with her squirmy booty, the suspect decided to begin drinking. In one of those alcoholic courage moments, she decided to wrap the snake around her neck like a necklace and keep driving around.
It was now late in the evening and for reasons that should be obvious, she jumped the median and wrecked her Prius on the Jericho Turnpike in Long Island, hitting an oncoming car. She careened off that car and, in a testament to the Prius’ crash test ratings and solid construction, went through the door of a fire station and smashed into two fire trucks inside.
The firemen responded immediately, removing the snake from the woman’s neck and rendering aid until police arrived. No one, including the python, was injured except the driver, who’s injuries were minor.
The woman was arrested, the snake was returned to the Petco store, and the Prius was removed from the firehouse’s front entrance. Damage to the fire trucks was mostly cosmetic, it’s reported, but the large bay door through which the woman crashed and the Sentra off which she ricocheted will require replacement. We can assume the Prius is a loss.
The woman, Sarah Espinosa, plead not guilty to the multitude of charges against her, but the judge temporarily suspended her license pending trial and she will return to court today for another hearing.
