Scout Killed In DWI Crash Honored By Friend At School

SHOREHAM, NY — A Shoreham-Wading River High School junior dedicated his Eagle Scout project in loving memory of Andrew McMorris, 12, a fellow member of Troop 161 who died after being hit by a drunk driver in September, 2018.

Jake Field "conceived of a thoughtful school community addition for his Eagle Scout service project to mark his final rank in the Boy Scouts", the district said.

Jake designed and built two benches to honor Andrew's memory; his project included a plaque that incorporated Andrew’s love of art, music, Scouting and aviation. The benches were placed at Albert G. Prodell Middle School, where Andrew was a student, the district said.

Jake told school officials that while the project took much time and effort, it was deeply rewarding. Jake’s ability to plan, develop and organize the donation of the benches with Prodell Principal Kevin Vann and Superintendent of Schools Gerard Poole point to the leadership skills he obtained in his years as a Boy Scout, district officials said.

After the district’s building and grounds crew prepped the location at the school, Jake and his family met with Alisa and John McMorris, Andrew's parents, to place the benches that will serve as a place for "gentle contemplation in perpetuity," the district said.

Andrew's parents were visibly moved.

"We were so honored Jake did his Eagle Project in memory of Andrew," John McMorris wrote on social media. "You did such an amazing job, Jake, and it was such a great pleasure in helping you with these benches. They are well-constructed and there’s no question they will last a long time. It warms our hearts to know that Andrew is being remembered in this way at Prodell Middle School and for that we are so grateful. Jake, you are the epitome of what a true Eagle Scout is and we are proud of you and all your accomplishments in Boy Scouts. God bless."

In September, exactly two years to the day that Andrew was killed by a drunk driver who plowed into his Boy Scout troop while they were out on a hike in Manorville, Thomas Murphy, 61, of Holbrook, who was convicted by a jury of driving drunk and killing Andrew in the 2018 crash, received the maximum sentence of eight and one-third to 25 years in prison.

The day was marked by tears and intense grief as members of Andrew's family, who live in Wading River, spoke about the last hours of his life, then planning his funeral and burying their only son and brother.

On Sept. 30, 2018, shortly before 2 p.m., Murphy was leaving Swan Lake Golf Club to drive home after drinking alcohol since about 9 a.m., Suffolk County District Attorney Tim Sini said. Murphy's vehicle struck the group of Scouts, killing Andrew, seriously injuring Thomas Lane of Shoreham, and injuring Denis Lane of Shoreham and Kaden Lynch of Calverton, Sini said.

Andrew died 14 hours later at 4:07 a.m. on Oct. 1, 2018.

Murphy was convicted by a jury on Dec. 18, 2019, of aggravated vehicular homicide, a felony; second-degree manslaughter, a felony; second-degree assault, a violent felony; second-degree vehicular assault, a felony; two counts of third-degree assault, a misdemeanor; and reckless driving, a misdemeanor.

Many of Andrew's fellow Scouts wore red and attended the court proceedings as they stood in solidarity for their friend.