Patrick Thompson of Levittown sentenced to up to 18 years in prison in DWI crash that killed motorcyclist Daniel Bliss

A Levittown man who fatally struck a motorcyclist last October and then fled the scene of the crash was sentenced on Thursday to up to 18 years in prison in Nassau County Court.

Patrick Thompson, 59, confessed in a plea deal in February to aggravated vehicular homicide, aggravated driving while intoxicated and fleeing the scene of an accident that had resulted in a death.

He had a blood-alcohol level more than twice the legal limit, prosecutors said, on Oct. 26 around 11 p.m. when he tried to make a left turn in his 2009 Chevrolet on North Jerusalem Road near Sherman Avenue and plowed nearly head-on into Daniel Bliss, 63, riding the opposite direction on his 2003 Harley Davidson.

Thompson had been arrested five previous times for drunk driving, according to court testimony.

Before authorities could arrive, Thompson said that he tried to talk to Bliss, who died at the scene, but took off on foot in a panic.

"I was so scared," he said during the sentencing hearing. "I couldn’t even think straight."

Nassau County police, with the help of a K-9 officer, tracked him down to a tree-filled sump more than a mile and a half from the scene.

"Patrick Thompson tried to duck responsibility after driving while highly intoxicated and crashing into Daniel Bliss’ motorcycle. After the crash, and a passing glance at Daniel as he died in the street, the defendant ran and hid like a coward," Nassau District Attorney Anne Donnelly said in a statement. "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."

During a statement before the sentencing, Bliss's fiance, Raquel Osteikoetxea, said that she relives that night in her mind over and over again.

She said that night she received a text from Bliss telling her that he couldn’t wait to see her and that she was the love of her life. She said he promised some big news.

"I didn’t know that those would be the last words that I would have from him," she told the court just before the sentencing.

The crash happened two blocks from her house.

"It was the place that my life was permanently destroyed," she said. "In a matter of moments the life that we had built together was just gone."

Bliss, a master licensed plumber and avid cyclist, had just joined the American Legion Riders Post 1082 motorcycle club in East Meadow in October.

His brother, Scott Finkelstein, who also spoke before the sentencing, told Thompson that he too struggled with alcoholism, but was able to quit drinking with the help of his faith in God.

"I was an evil, self-hating drunk who made so many bad decisions," he said. "We are brothers bound by a sick and powerful disease called alcoholism."

Finkelstein said that he speaks to his brother every night through prayer.

"Danny would want me to extend you forgiveness," he said. "Find a way to forgive yourself, but also find a forgiving and lovable God."

Thompson turned to look toward the family and the gallery, filled with members of Bliss’s motorcycle club.

"I’m totally sorry. I don’t even have the right words to say," he said. "I know his family is going through a lot. I never meant to hurt his family or my family."

The East Meadow motorcycle club will hold a ceremony on Friday a 7 p.m. for the officer and the K-9, Shammy, who found Thompson in the sump where he hid after the crash, club director Lenny D'Andrea told Newsday after the hearing.