Patch: Scout Killed By Drunk Driver To Receive Diploma: 'Tsunami Of Emotion'
June 17, 2024 | by Lisa Finn
WADING RIVER, NY — If only. If only things had been different, the McMorris family would be eagerly preparing for the Shoreham-Wading River High School graduation Friday. They would be discussing college plans and laughing over shared memories — smiling proudly over accomplishments and milestones.
But instead, the questions of what might have been loom: Wading River Boy Scout Andrew McMorris, 12, died after he was hit by a drunk driver in a 2018 crash while out on a hike with his troop in Manorville.
Andrew's death rocked the community — and the many who loved him will never forget. The school district has decided to Andrew with a posthumous diploma, his mother, Alisa McMorris, told Patch.
Andrew's family learned last week that under new state guidelines, school districts have discretion in such instances. "They decided to award Andrew a posthumous degree," she said. "They included him in the yearbook — it's all overwhelmingly beautiful."
Over the past days, during the traditional senior walkthrough, Alisa joined teachers at Wading River Elementary School to watch the seniors.
"Somehow — I didn't expect it — but it hit me like a tsunami of emotion," she said. "Many kids wore red ribbons and pinned pictures of Andrew on their gowns. "I hugged so many and told them 'Thank you.' And I said, 'Go be happy — find your joy.'"
Andrew's cousin also graduated this year — and she decorated her cap for Andrew, Alisa said. "We are all painfully aware that this is a milestone he should be here for."
With a mission of parenting his legacy, Andrew's family has worked tirelessly for change — so that no other family ever has to endure their unthinkable pain.
They have also created the Andrew McMorris Foundation, to help other young people, and to educate, in their son's name.
"This year we had over 200 application for Andrew's scholarship and grants," Alisa said. "We are handing out over 70 awards nationwide. Since the tragedy, we think we have spoken to more than 8,000 students throughout Long Island about the dangers of drunk and impaired driving."
An award ceremony was held Saturday at the McMorris Lodge at the Baiting Hollow Scout camp.
For years, the fight for justice waged: It was an emotional day in July, 2023 when an appeal was denied for the driver who was convicted by a jury of driving drunk and killing Andrew.
Thomas Murphy, of Holbrook, was found guilty on all counts in 2019 and received the maximum sentence of eight and one-third to 25 years in prison in 2020. He sought to have that verdict overturned in his appeal.
"It is with great relief that we announce that the New York State Supreme Court District 2 Appellate Division in Brooklyn, upheld the conviction of the defendant in Andrew’s death," the McMorris family said in a statement. "Appeal has been denied. There will be no new trial or any reduction in the defendant’s sentence."
Suffolk County District Attorney Raymond A. Tierney also issued a statement: "I am gratified that the appellate court has upheld the conviction of Thomas Murphy for the senseless and tragic death of Andrew McMorris. I hope this decision will provide a small measure of closure for the McMorris family. This should not be the end of the story. This tragedy should serve as a reminder to everyone that we need to be vigilant to prevent drunken driving and the resulting devastation it causes."
Speaking with Patch, Alisa added: "Andrew was taken too soon from this life and it is sometimes hard to find the right words. And when we find ourselves stuck, we are reminded of the words spoken at Andrew’s funeral. 'This is not how it should be, this is not how it could be, but this is how it is.' Our heart still aches every day because Andrew should still be here."