Man Faces 11 Charges For Hit-And-Run That Killed Teacher: DA

CENTRAL ISLIP, NY - A Mattituck man was indicted on 11 charges Wednesday for allegedly driving while impaired by fentanyl, causing him to fatally strike a beloved Kings Park teacher who was out jogging in St. James last month, according to Suffolk County District Attorney Timothy D. Sini.

Keith Clancy, 32, was charged with two counts of aggravated vehicular homicide, second degree manslaughter, second degree vehicular manslaughter, leaving the scene of an accident without reporting, tampering with physical evidence, driving while ability impaired by drugs, first degree aggravated unlicensed operation of a motor vehicle, second degree reckless endangerment, seventh degree possession of a controlled substance and reckless driving, the DA said.

On July 14, Clancy was driving a 2014 Nissan sedan southbound on Lake Avenue in St. James when he left his lane, crossing onto the shoulder of the road and hit 37-year-old Michael McDermott, who was jogging northbound, the DA said.

McDermott, of Smithtown, was thrown 100 feet from the point of impact, the DA said. He was later pronounced dead at the scene by a physician assistant from the Office of the Suffolk County Medical Examiner.

Clancy allegedly left the scene of the crash and was apprehended by officers at while traveling eastbound on the Long Island Expressway near exit 69 in Manorville.

Clancy allegedly left the scene of the crash and was apprehended by Suffolk County Police officers while traveling eastbound on the Long Island Expressway near exit 69 in Manorville, the DA said.

His car was severely damaged with a large hole in its windshield and blood on both the exterior and interior of the car, the DA said. The car was also missing its front license plate, which was recovered at the scene of the crash, the DA said.

A blood test taken three and one-half hours after the crash revealed a high level of fentanyl in Clancy’s blood, the DA said. A search warrant executed on Clancy’s car resulted in the seizure of a glassine envelope of fentanyl, the DA said.

McDermott worked as a physical education teacher and JV baseball coach at William T. Rogers Middle School for the past 14 years.

"Drugged driving is often deadly, as it was in this case," Sini said. "We lost a beloved member of our community and nothing will bring him back. We will seek justice in this case."

Clancy was arraigned in front of Suffolk County Supreme Court Justice Fernando Camacho. Bail was set at $250,000 cash or $500,000 bond. He is due back in court on September 10.

If convicted of the top count, Clancy faces a maximum sentence of eight to 25 years in prison.