Incident location, Long Island
What Happened
Patrick Thompson of Levittown was sentenced to six to 18 years in prison on Thursday, April 2, 2026, for a fatal drunk driving crash that killed 63-year-old motorcyclist Daniel Bliss on North Jerusalem Avenue in North Bellmore in October 2025, Nassau County District Attorney Anne Donnelly announced.
The deadly collision occurred on October 26, 2025, when Thompson was driving westbound on North Jerusalem Avenue near the intersection of Sherman Avenue in North Bellmore, according to prosecutors. Thompson attempted to make a left turn into a convenience store parking lot as Bliss was traveling eastbound on his 2003 Harley Davidson motorcycle, Donnelly said. Thompson’s vehicle struck Bliss’ motorcycle in what prosecutors described as a nearly head-on collision, throwing the 63-year-old motorcyclist to the ground where he suffered fatal injuries and was pronounced dead at the scene.
After the devastating crash, Thompson exited his car and looked at Bliss before fleeing the scene on foot, leaving the dying motorcyclist in the street, prosecutors said. Nassau County police officers found Thompson more than an hour later, nearly a half mile from the crash scene, hiding in a tree-filled sump, according to Donnelly’s office. When located, Thompson displayed several signs of intoxication, and a blood sample taken approximately three hours after the crash revealed his blood alcohol content was .18% — more than twice the legal limit of 0.08% in New York State.
Thompson pleaded guilty in February 2026 to three charges: aggravated vehicular homicide, leaving the scene of an incident without reporting, and aggravated driving while intoxicated per se. The Levittown man received his sentence on Thursday from Nassau County Court.
“Patrick Thompson tried to duck responsibility after driving while highly intoxicated and crashing into Daniel Bliss’ motorcycle,” District Attorney Donnelly said after 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. 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.”
The case highlights the devastating consequences of impaired driving combined with leaving the scene of a fatal accident. Thompson’s blood alcohol level of .18% was significantly elevated, indicating severe intoxication at the time of the crash. His decision to flee on foot after the collision, combined with his attempt to hide from authorities for over an hour, demonstrated what prosecutors characterized as a callous disregard for the victim’s life and a clear attempt to evade responsibility for his actions.
Location & Road Context
The fatal crash occurred on North Jerusalem Avenue near Sherman Avenue in North Bellmore, a busy commercial corridor that serves as a main thoroughfare through the area. This section of North Jerusalem Avenue features various businesses including convenience stores, making left turns into parking lots a common maneuver for drivers. The intersection area where Thompson attempted his fatal left turn experiences regular traffic flow in both directions, with motorcyclists frequently traveling the route.
North Jerusalem Avenue runs east-west through several Nassau County communities and is known for its mix of residential and commercial properties. The presence of convenience stores and other businesses along this stretch creates multiple conflict points where vehicles turning left must yield to oncoming traffic, including motorcycles that may be less visible to impaired drivers.
Investigation & Legal Proceedings
The Nassau County Police Department’s investigation led to Thompson’s arrest more than an hour after the crash when officers discovered him hiding in the tree-filled sump nearly half a mile from the collision scene. The investigation included blood alcohol testing, which proved crucial in establishing the severity of Thompson’s intoxication at the time of the crash.
Thompson’s February 2026 guilty plea to aggravated vehicular homicide, leaving the scene of an incident without reporting, and aggravated driving while intoxicated per se allowed him to avoid a trial. The plea agreement resulted in his sentencing to six to 18 years in prison, with the possibility of parole after serving the minimum six-year term. The charges reflect the serious nature of the crime, particularly the aggravated vehicular homicide charge which applies when a death results from intoxicated driving.
Broader Impact
Thompson’s case demonstrates the severe legal consequences facing drivers convicted of aggravated vehicular homicide in New York, where the combination of extreme intoxication, fatal results, and fleeing the scene can result in sentences approaching two decades in prison. The .18% blood alcohol content recorded three hours after the crash suggests Thompson’s intoxication level at the time of impact was likely even higher, as alcohol continues to metabolize over time, making this case an example of the most serious category of DWI-related fatalities prosecuted in Nassau County.