Mourners To Wear Red For Boy Scout Killed By Alleged Drunk Driver

MANORVILLE, NY — It's fitting that Boy Scouts in Shoreham's Troop 161 are asking mourners to wear red in memory of Andrew McMorris, 12; Andrew, remembered for his sweet nature and love of aviation, died Monday after he and four other Scouts were hit by a drunk driver while on a hike Sunday, police said.

Red, the color of deep and enduring love.

According to Robert Rabbitt and Benjamin Tallmadge, senior district executive and advancement committee advisor of Boy Scouts of America/Suffolk County Council: "As we’re all aware, Boy Scout Troop 161 of Shoreham suffered an unimaginable tragedy on Sunday. The unit has received condolences and prayers from not just around district and council but from around the country. Last night, Troop 161 met and the boys in the Troop have requested that everyone place red ribbons around their yard and community and to wear red this week in remembrance of Andrew McMorris," they said.

The boys asked that the message be spread among Scouts and the community, and that all "please continue to pray for Troop 161, the parents and the youth who are still recovering from this terrible accident," the message said.

The community is cloaked in deep grief this week as parents, Scouts, and the community struggle to make sense of the horrific tragedy.

Condolences are pouring in: "The officers and members of the Manorville Fire Department offer their profound condolences to the family and friends of Andrew McMorris," one message said. "We will keep him and his family in our thoughts and prayers. Rest in peace."

Hearts were broken when word spread that Andrew, one of the Scouts critically injured by an alleged drunk driver in Manorville Sunday, had died.

According to Suffolk County Police, Andrew, of Wading River, died of injuries sustained when he was struck by a 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 is being 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 Police, Thomas Murphy, 59, of Holbrook, was arrested and charged with DWI after the crash, which took place at 1:55 p.m.

Murphy was driving a 2016 Mercedes southbound when he struck a group of Boys Scouts from Troop 161 of Shoreham. The Scouts walking northbound on the shoulder of the roadway, police said.
Murphy was held overnight at the Seventh Precinct and is scheduled to be arraigned at First District Court in Central Islip on Monday, police said.

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MidIsland Air Service, turned to social media to say a heartfelt good-bye to Andrew: "It is with a heavy heart that we announce the passing of one of our Aero Campers," the post said. "Andrew was with his Boy Scout troop in Manorville this past weekend and he and four others were hit by a person under the influence. Andrew worked hard during camp to complete his Boy Scout aviation merit badge and we were so proud of him. We are saddened by this senseless loss and offer his family our deepest condolences. Our thoughts are with the families of the other injured Scouts and the entire troop who is dealing with this tragedy."

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. Scoutmaster Matthew Yakaboski and other troop representatives did not immediately return a request for comment.

The Boy Scouts of America's Suffolk County Council released a message about the tragedy on social media Monday: "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.

Detectives are asking anyone who may have witnessed the crash to call the Major Case Unit at 631-852-6555 or anonymously to Crime Stoppers at 1-800-220 TIPS.

Patch photo courtesy MidIsland AirService.