Sayville Hit and Run Driver Gets Jail Time, Will Make Restitution

A Sayville man involved in a hit and run on Lincoln Avenue in Sayville is accepting a plea deal that involves jail time and restitution of car damage incurred in the accident.

Richard Thorson, of Lincoln Avenue, pled guilty Thursday to unauthorized use of a motor vehicle, resisting arrest and leaving the scene of the accident on May 29, according to the Suffolk County District Attorney's office.

Thorson is to be sentenced to 45 days in the county jail and a restitution judgment order will be issued requiring Thorson to reimburse the owner of the car for the value of the vehicle. The dollar amount is undetermined and is being worked out between the owner and his insurance carrier, according to a district attorney spokesperson.

The 43-year-old was initially charged with grand larceny for allegedly stealing the car he was driving in the accident, leaving the scene of an accident with injury, criminal mischief and resisting arrest following the three-car accident.

Receive updates to this story and other breaking news in your inbox or smartphone by signing up for our newsletter here

Thorson was driving a 1996 Toyota heading northbound on Lincoln about 1:30 p.m. when his car crossed the double yellow line and crashed into the driver's side of a 2001 Pontiac in the southbound lane. The Pontiac, with two sisters inside, was then pushed into a parked 2012 Honda on the west side of Lincoln Avenue.

Police said Thorson was also charged with criminal mischief for allegedly kicking out the rear passenger window of a police car in which he was sitting.