Mattituck man sentenced in hit-and-run death of beloved Kings Park teacher

A Mattituck man was sentenced Thursday morning to 5 1/2 to 16 1/2 years in prison after pleading guilty last month in the hit-and-run death of Michael McDermott, a beloved teacher in Kings Park and father to three young children.

Keith Clancy, 33, pleaded guilty to the top charge of aggravated vehicular homicide, as well as second-degree manslaughter, leaving the scene of the crash and operating a motor vehicle under the influence of drugs.

On July 14, 2019, McDermott, of Smithtown, was jogging through St. James on Lake Avenue near Oak Street when prosecutors said Clancy ran a stop sign, crossed into the opposite lane and struck him head on.

He was pronounced dead at the scene.

Clancy was eventually stopped by police and taken into custody near Exit 69 on the Long Island Expressway approximately 25 miles away. He had left parts of his vehicle at the crash scene and had a large hole in his windshield at the time of his arrest.

According to Assistant District Attorney James Curtin, police found fentanyl in Clancy’s car, and suboxone — a drug used to treat narcotics addicts — inside a sock in the back seat. Curtin said he also had previous DWI convictions.

Clancy originally pleaded not guilty to an 11-count indictment, but reversed his plea in October.

McDermott, 37, was a husband, the oldest of five brothers, a father of three and a teacher at William T. Rogers Middle School. He was remembered by his brother, Tom, as being “authentically extra” while eulogizing him last summer.

“When I say ‘authentically extra’, I mean he lived every moment of his 37 years joyfully, effusively, energetically, and unapologetically in a way that was 100% genuine to who he was,” he said.

He was also a passionate Mets, Islanders and Giants fan.

The JV baseball field at Kings Park High School was renovated and renamed for Michael McDermott. Photo: Bob Doda

Before sentencing, McDermott’s mother, father and father-in-law made victim impact statements for those inside the Central Islip courtroom and many who watched along virtually.

Marietta McDermott said there “are no words that can describe the devastation” of her son’s loss.

“We are forever changed by this huge loss. And as his mom, my heart literally aches,” she said.

She said the “legal system failed us by sending a drug addict back into society without proper help.”

Steven McDermott, his father, called July 14, 2019 “the worst day of my life” and described having to break the news to his sons about Michael’s death while they were vacationing in Ireland. McDermott had also been on the trip before returning early to be with his family.

“The pain in the loss of this beautiful person…is indescribable,” he said.

Clancy was apologetic and tearful when he addressed McDermott’s loved ones and the court:

“I was thinking about how I could apologize to you for a long time, but I have to say I truly am so sorry. I wasn’t like your son. I made a lot of mistakes. This is something I’ll never forgive myself for. And I know that means nothing to the pain you feel every day. This tragedy is fully my fault. I’m so sorry for what I’ve done.”

Keith Clancy

Before handing down his sentence, Judge Fernando Camacho called the case “an incredible contrast in character” between McDermott and Clancy.

“I wish that these proceedings could be broadcast to the world. Everybody should hear what a great man Michael McDermott was,” he said.

Judge Camacho also said that he was going to recommend that Clancy serve every day of his sentence. Clancy’s attorney Anthony La Pinta reserved the right to appeal.

In the days since his death – friends, family and co-workers bound together to raise $201,100 for the McDermott family through a GoFundMe campaign.

Kings Park School District named the JV field at the high school in McDermott's honor, with the help of Kings Park Youth sponsors and other donors. COVID-19 uprooted plans to officially dedicate Michael S. McDermott Field this past May.

Friends have also started a #BeLikeMike campaign that has raised money through the sale of shirts, bracelets and stickers.

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