Alleged Drunk Driver Indicted In Fatal Boy Scout Crash: Court

MANORVILLE, NY — An alleged drunk driver was indicted on new charges Friday after he plowed his Mercedes into a troop of Scouts who were out on a hike in Manorville, leaving 12-year old Boy Scout Andrew McMorris dead and four injured, records said.

According to online court records, Thomas Murphy, 59, of Holbrook, was indicted Friday on two counts of aggravated vehicular homicide in which one person was killed and others injured, a felony; second degree vehicular assault, injury, a felony; reckless assault causing physical injury, a misdemeanor; one count of reckless driving, a misdemeanor; one count of second degree reckless endangerment, a misdemeanor; one count of vehicular manslaughter, 18 of 1 percent or more alcohol, a felony; one count of second degree vehicular manslaughter, vehicle/vessel, a felony; one count of driving while intoxicated, a misdemeanor; one count of aggravated vehicular homicide, .18 of 1 percent or more alcohol, a felony; one count of second degree vehicular assault, injury, a felony; one count of recklessly causing death, a felony; one count of vehicular assault, 18 of 1 percent or more alcohol, a felony; recklessly causing physical injury, a misdemeanor; aggravated DWI, a misdemeanor; and recklessly causing serious injury with weapon, a felony, court records say.

According to Newsday, the indictment came a day after Murphy's attorney Stephen McCarthy Jr. of Manhattan issued a statement for his client after a court appearance, in which Murphy said, "taking responsibility for his 'role'" in the Sept. 30 crash, but not specifying what the role was or admitting to anything other than driving the car; the statement, McCarthy didn't mean his client would plead guilty to any charges. He is tentatively scheduled for arraignment on the indictment on Oct. 25, according to the Newsday report.

McCarthy Jr. and Suffolk County District Attorney Tim Sini did not immediately respond to requests for comment.

The community has been cloaked in mourning since learning that Andrew, critically injured in the crash, had died.

According to Suffolk County Police, Andrew, of Wading River, died of injuries sustained when he was struck by the vehicle on David Terry Road; he was transported to Peconic Bay Medical Center and then transferred to Stony Brook University Hospital following the crash.

Thomas Lane, 15, of Shoreham, was airlifted to Stony Brook University Hospital, where he was treated for serious injuries; Denis Lane, 16, Shoreham, Kaden Lynch, 15, of Calverton, and Matthew Yakaboski, 15, of Calverton, sustained non-life-threatening injuries, police said.

Shoreham-Wading River School Superintendent Gerard Poole posted a message on the district's website; Andrew was a student in the district.

"The district was deeply saddened to learn of the horrific accident that occurred this weekend involving several Shoreham-Wading River students, which resulted in the tragic passing of one of our middle school students," a message on the district's website said. "Our crisis response team met early this morning to formulate and implement a plan to aid our school community cope with this loss. Support services will be made available to students and staff as needed."

According to Suffolk County Police, Murphy, 59, was initially arrested and charged with DWI.

Murphy was driving a 2016 Mercedes southbound when he struck the group of Boys Scouts from Troop 161 of Shoreham. The Scouts walking northbound on the shoulder of the roadway, police said.

According to Troop 161's website, the Scouts were scheduled to have a two-session hike on the Greenbelt Trail in Manorville and were hiking with their adult leader, as well as other Scouts, at the time of the crash, Scouting officials said.

The Boy Scouts of America's Suffolk County Council released a message about the tragedy on social media: "As part of the Suffolk County Council, our Scouting family is going through a terribly painful time," the message said. "We are sad to confirm the death of one of our young members following a vehicle-related incident while hiking. We offer our deepest condolences to the victim's family, and we will support them in any way that we can. Our thoughts remain with the Scouts still recovering from this incident. Please join us in keeping all those affected in your thoughts and prayers," said Ryan DiBernardo, Scout executive/CEO, Suffolk County Council, Boy Scouts of America.

After their son's tragic death, his family released a statement reflecting their deep heartbreak: "Andrew McMorris was no ordinary boy. Andrew was born with a sense of wonder and amazement of the world around him, and he never lost the ability to be awed by and delighted with all it had to offer. Andrew was an artful child, and he channeled his abundant creativity through painting, acting, singing, and playing his piano, guitar, mandolin and ukulele. Always up for a costume, Andrew was Tin Man in his fifth grade production of The Wizard of Oz and, of course, Michael Jackson."

Andrew has also been remembered for his love of aviation.

In lieu of flowers the family has suggested donations to honor the loving memory of Andrew to: Mothers Against Drunk Driving, 33 Walt Whitman Road, Suite 210W Huntington Station, NY 11746; Wildcats Helping the Arts & Music Payable to: WHAM PO Box 458 Shoreham, NY 11786; or the GoFundMe, "Troop 161 Memorial & Support Fund."

Andrew's troop has asked that mourners wear red or place red ribbons in memory of his life, with vigils held to remember his beautiful spirit.

Patch photo courtesy SCPD.

Patch photo of Andrew courtesy MidIsland AirService.