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A Levittown man was sentenced Thursday to up to 18 years in prison for a drunk driving crash that killed a 63-year-old motorcyclist on North Jerusalem Avenue in North Bellmore.
Daniel Bliss was riding his 2003 Harley Davidson east on North Jerusalem Avenue just after 11 p.m. on Oct. 26, when Patrick Thompson, 59, turned left into a convenience store parking lot and struck his motorcycle nearly head-on, Nassau County District Attorney Anne Donnelly announced.
The impact threw Bliss, an active member of the East Meadow American Legion Riders, to the ground. He was pronounced dead at the scene.
Thompson got out of his vehicle, looked at Bliss, and ran, authorities said. A Nassau County Police Department K-9 Unit located him more than an hour later, nearly a half mile away, hiding in a tree-filled sump.
Prosecutors said he showed signs of intoxication, and a blood sample drawn about three hours after the crash showed his blood alcohol content was .18% — over twice the legal limit.
Thompson pleaded guilty Feb. 25 before Nassau Judge Robert Bogle to aggravated vehicular homicide, leaving the scene without reporting and aggravated driving while intoxicated. Bogle sentenced him Thursday to 6 to 18 years.
“Patrick Thompson tried to duck responsibility after driving while highly intoxicated and crashing into Daniel Bliss’ motorcycle,” Donnelly said. “After the crash, and a passing glance at Daniel as he died in the street, the defendant ran and hid like a coward.
“Now he will have many years in prison to reflect on his reckless actions,” she added. “Our thoughts remain with Daniel’s family and friends as they continue to mourn his tragic loss.”
Top: Daniel Bliss/Facebook
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