Police: 37-year-old man killed in St. James hit-and-run

Police say a Smithtown man who worked as a teacher and coach in Kings Park was killed Sunday in a hit-and-run crash.

News 12 Staff

Jul 15, 2019, 9:19 AM

Updated 1,745 days ago

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Police say a Smithtown man who worked as a teacher and coach in Kings Park was killed Sunday in a hit-and-run crash.
They say Michael McDermott, 37, was hit by a Nissan as he was jogging around 12:30 p.m. on the shoulder of Lake Avenue in St. James. The prosecutors say McDermott was thrown 80 to 100 feet.
McDermott was pronounced dead at the scene.
Police say about a half-hour later, officers found 32-year-old Keith Clancy, of Mattituck, driving near exit 69 on the LIE and arrested him in connection to the crash.
Clancy was arraigned Monday and is charged with leaving the scene of an accident and driving without a license. His license was revoked following a previous DWI. As he entered court Monday, he did apologize to McDermott's family.
Clancy is being held on $250,000 bail. The prosecutor said it's likely the charges will be upgraded to homicide charges.
Clancy entered a not guilty plea at his arraignment.
"The only appropriate comment is to acknowledge the magnitude of the tragedy and offer genuine condolences to the family of Michael McDermott," Clancy's attorney said.
McDermott taught physical education at William T. Rogers Middle School in Kings Park. He also coached junior varsity baseball. McDermott was also the father of three young children and lived with his wife on a tight-knit block in Smithtown.
His students, former students and fellow teachers held a vigil for McDermott at Kings Park High School Monday.
 


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