Crime & Safety

Report: Shirley Man Pleads Guilty to Vehicular Manslaughter of Patchogue Man

Steven Tolar admitted to actions that led to death of Scott Albrecht, reports Newsday.

A Shirley man plead guilty Monday in Suffolk Criminal Court to charges including vehicular manslaughter related to a  reports Newsday.

Police that Scott Albrecht, 43, was killed when a 2002 Lincoln Navigator driven by Steven Tolar, 54, went over a marked divider while traveling east on Montauk Highway near Old South Country Road, colliding into the 2011 Chevrolet van driven by Albrecht on Dec. 17 at 10:20 p.m. Albrecht was pronounced dead at the scene.

Newsday reports that Tolar plead guilty to second-degree manslaughter, second-degree vehicular manslaughter, driving while intoxicated and reckless driving.

Find out what's happening in Patchoguewith free, real-time updates from Patch.

Newsday also reports that Tolar initially was reluctant to plead guilty, but is being promised by Judge John Toomey Jr. that he will be sentenced to three to nine years in prison, versus the recommendation of four to 12 years offered by the Suffolk District Attorney's office.

Albrecht's wife, Debra Albrecht, posted on Patch several photos of Scott with his children, and also posted a comment on Patch on when the guilty plea was announced.

Find out what's happening in Patchoguewith free, real-time updates from Patch.

"Although there will never be any relief for the pain or justice for the crime, this chapter will soon be over," Debra wrote.

Debra has also previously written a  of thanks to the community for giving her and her family support following her husband's death.


Get more local news delivered straight to your inbox. Sign up for free Patch newsletters and alerts.

We’ve removed the ability to reply as we work to make improvements. Learn more here

To request removal of your name from an arrest report, submit these required items to arrestreports@patch.com.