Woman accused of stealing snake and crashing car into firehouse while drunk

NEW HYDE PARK , N.Y., Aug. 5 (UPI) -- A New York woman allegedly got drunk, stole a snake from a pet store and then crashed her car into a firehouse while the serpent was circled around her neck.

Sarah Espinosa plowed her Prius into the New Hyde Park firehouse and ran into two trucks that were parked inside. When firefighters went to help the 22-year-old, they found the small ball python that she allegedly swiped from Petco wrapped around her neck.

"We heard a loud bang and then a second loud bang," New Hyde Park Chief Steven Waldron told Newsday. "As soon as she went through the doors, firefighters began the rescue."

Espinosa was treated for minor injuries at the hospital and then taken into custody. She was charged with second degree reckless endangerment, DWI, reckless driving, petty larceny and unlawful possession of marijuana.

"It was about two feet long," Waldron told 1010 WINS. "I thought it was a pet. I guess she's a snake person."

The snake was returned to the store unharmed.