Incident location, Long Island
What Happened
Patrick Thompson, a 59-year-old Levittown man, was sentenced to six to 18 years in prison on Thursday, April 2, 2026, after pleading guilty to killing a motorcyclist in a hit-and-run DWI crash in North Bellmore, according to the Nassau County District Attorney’s office. Thompson struck and killed 63-year-old Daniel Bliss while driving under the influence on October 26, 2025, then fled the scene on foot after looking at the dying victim.
The fatal collision occurred at approximately 11:01 p.m. on North Jerusalem Avenue near the intersection of Sherman Avenue in North Bellmore, prosecutors said. Thompson was driving west on North Jerusalem Avenue when he attempted to make a left turn into a convenience store parking lot, according to the DA’s office. As Thompson executed the turn, his vehicle struck a 2003 Harley Davidson motorcycle traveling eastbound on the same road.
Daniel Bliss was driving the motorcycle when Thompson’s vehicle hit him nearly head-on, throwing the 63-year-old rider to the ground, the DA’s office said. Bliss suffered fatal injuries from the impact and was pronounced deceased at the scene. After the crash, Thompson exited his car, looked at Bliss as he lay dying in the street, and then fled the scene on foot, prosecutors said.
Nassau County Police Department’s K-9 Unit located Thompson more than an hour later, nearly a half mile from the crash scene, hiding in a tree-filled sump, according to the DA’s office. When found, Thompson displayed several signs of intoxication, and officers took a blood sample that revealed his blood alcohol content was .18 percent — more than twice the legal limit — approximately three hours after the crash had occurred. The Nassau County Police Department’s Homicide Squad arrested Thompson the following day, on October 27, 2025.
Thompson pleaded guilty on February 25, 2026, before Judge Robert Bogle to three charges: aggravated vehicular homicide (a B felony), leaving the scene of an incident without reporting (a D felony), and aggravated driving while intoxicated per se (an unclassified misdemeanor), the DA’s office said. District Attorney Anne Donnelly condemned Thompson’s actions in a statement following the sentencing.
“After the crash, and a passing glance at Daniel as he died in the street, the defendant ran and hid like a coward,” District Attorney Anne Donnelly said. “Thompson knew what he had done and thought only of himself. Now he will have many years in prison to reflect on his reckless actions. Our thoughts remain with Daniel’s family and friends as they continue to mourn his tragic loss.”
Daniel Bliss’s death left his loved ones devastated, with his obituary describing him as a beloved brother and dedicated partner. According to his obituary posted on the Jerusalem Memorial Chapels website, “Danny is predeceased by his parents, Robert and Ila. He was the beloved brother of Donna, who remembers him not just as a sibling but as a true friend. His girlfriend, Rachel, was a source of joy and partnership in his later years. Together, they shared a love that was evident to all who knew them.”
The obituary further highlighted Bliss’s character and community involvement: “His ability to fix and build was matched only by his eagerness to support those he loved. Danny’s generosity extended beyond his immediate circle, as he dedicated countless hours to supporting the veterans of American Legion Post 1082, a cause close to his heart.”
Location & Road Context
The fatal crash occurred on North Jerusalem Avenue near Sherman Avenue in North Bellmore, a busy commercial corridor that connects multiple Nassau County communities. This section of North Jerusalem Avenue features various businesses, including the convenience store parking lot that Thompson was attempting to access when he struck Bliss’s motorcycle. The roadway serves as a main east-west thoroughfare in the area, handling significant traffic volumes throughout the day and evening hours.
The intersection area where the crash occurred is typical of many Long Island commercial strips, with multiple driveways and turning movements that can create conflict points between vehicles and motorcyclists. The late evening hour of the collision — 11:01 p.m. — represents a time when visibility conditions are reduced and impaired drivers are more commonly encountered on roadways.
Investigation & Legal Proceedings
The case was prosecuted by Assistant District Attorney Brittany Battista of the Vehicular Crimes Bureau under the supervision of Bureau Chief Michael Bushwack and under the overall supervision of Executive Assistant District Attorney for the Litigation Division Kevin Higgins, according to the DA’s office. Thompson was represented by defense attorney Peter Tsombekis, Esq.
The investigation involved multiple law enforcement agencies and units, including the Nassau County Police Department’s Homicide Squad, which handled the arrest, and the K-9 Unit, which located Thompson hiding nearly half a mile from the crash scene. The thoroughness of the investigation was evidenced by the blood alcohol testing that occurred approximately three hours after the crash, still showing Thompson’s BAC at .18 percent — indicating his level of intoxication at the time of the collision was likely even higher.
Broader Impact
Thompson’s sentence of six to 18 years reflects the serious nature of aggravated vehicular homicide charges in New York, particularly when combined with leaving the scene of a fatal crash. The case underscores how fleeing the scene of an accident — especially a fatal one involving impaired driving — significantly increases potential prison time, as Thompson faced multiple felony charges that resulted in his lengthy sentence rather than a single DWI-related charge.