Running event honors Andrew McMorris, Boy Scout who died after horrific accident

Three Suffolk high school running programs are coming together to honor the life of Andrew McMorris, the 12-year-old Boy Scout who died after he,  fellow scouts and supervising adults were hit by a vehicle in September.

The Miller Place, Shoreham-Wading River, and Riverhead track teams are co-hosting Andrew’s Run, a 2.5-mile run/walk event 9 a.m. Saturday at Shoreham-Wading River High School to remember McMorris and support Troop 161. Organizers said that all proceeds from the run’s $10 entry fee, as well as any additional donations, will be given to Troop 161 and the Suffolk County Boy Scouts Council for the construction of a cabin in McMorris’ name at Baiting Hollow Scout Camp.

McMorris, a seventh-grader at Albert Prodell Middle School in Shoreham, died on Oct. 1 after being struck while he and 17 other Scouts and adults were walking single-file along the shoulder of David Terry Road in Manorville, The driver, Thomas Murphy, 59, of Holbrook, is awaiting trail after being charged with aggravated vehicular homicide, driving while intoxicated, assault, and other charges for the Sept. 30 crash.

Event organizer Danelle Rose, a junior at Miller Place High School and a member of the school’s cross country and track teams, said, “I was extremely heartbroken by this tragedy and I wanted to do my best in helping the troop and the communities involved heal … I really felt like I needed to do something to let Troop 161 know that they’re not alone is their recovery.” That sentiment is already working. “I think it’s a great thing,”

Troop 161’s senior patrol leader Matt Sherman, 16 of Wading River, said, “It will bring a lot of awareness to our cause and it will help memorialize Andrew . . . I think it will help a lot.”

Troop 161 scoutmaster Matt Yakaboski, 50, of Calverton said, "I’m amazed that Danelle was able to set this thing up. It’s unbelievable....That shows how caring people are in the community and how they feel for the McMorris family…Andrew was an amazing young man. At such an early age, he had so many interests and so many skills as a scout and general community member.”