Crowd Carols At Home Of Scout Killed In DWI Crash In Show Of Love

WADING RIVER, NY — Just hours before Christmas, a community came together to show their love for the family of Andrew McMorris, 12, who was killed after being struck by a drunk driver while out on a hike with his Boy Scout troop in Manorville.

A week earlier, it was "justice for Andrew" as a jury found Thomas Murphy, 60, of Holbrook, guilty on all counts in the crash; the jury reached a verdict on Dec. 18. Murphy faces 8 1/3 to 25 years in prison based on the charges against him.

In a show of Christmas support, more than 300 friends, family members, Scouts and loved ones gathered outside the home of Alisa and John McMorris and their daughter Arianna McMorris for caroling Sunday night.

"It was amazing," Alisa McMorris said. "We have been shattered into a million different pieces and only with the love and support of our friends, family and community do we have the strength to stand."

But stand they will as they move onward to keep their boy's memory alive through providing scholarships, supporting youth leadership and advocating for change in his name through the Andrew McMorris Foundation.

"We will continue to walk and speak for Andrew — to allow his voice to be heard," Alisa said. "Justice for Andrew and Troop #161 only brought a small amount of relief to this grueling, unnecessary process as we were given a tortuous life sentence without our sweet boy."

Friends wearing red both at Christmas and in the courtroom have wrapped the McMorris family in their proverbial arms.

"Sometimes there are stormy moments in your life when your friends, family and community, do more than just walk with you; they become angels that carry you and protect you with their wings," Alisa said. "We witnessed that protection in the form of over 300 Christmas carolers sneaking up on our front lawn. Today the memory puts a sweet smile on our faces and thoughts of how Andrew would have loved it! For the first time in my life I was truly surprised and in awe."

She laughed. "Honestly, I would have done my hair and put shoes on if I knew."

Filled with emotion, Alisa added: "It brought me to tears and I couldn't help but feel the warmth of all of you — each holding one of our shattered pieces and helping us to stand. The timing couldn't have been more perfect as I was hosting a few of my friends that I have know for over 30 years from my high school theater days. We were truly surrounded by love."

The McMorris family added on Monday: "'Thank you' does not seem like enough for what something like last night does for a broken soul. It truly was a Christmas blessing and the prayers of many were sent up to heaven in 'It's a Wonderful Life' style."