PLATTSBURGH, N.Y. (WCAX) – A Northern New York man convicted of manslaughter in a hit-and-run that killed his boss was sentenced on Friday, and he could spend the rest of his life behind bars.
Thomas Lance, 39, of Albany County, was found guilty by a jury in May.
Police say in September 2023, Lance ran over his boss, Wayne Haupt, 53, in the parking lot of the Exit 36 Truck Stop in Plattsburgh while driving Haupt’s pickup truck.
Investigators say it happened when Haupt confronted Lance about using the truck. They say Lance hit the gas with Haupt still hanging onto the side of the pickup. Haupt was dragged for several feet before he slipped off and was run over by the back wheels. Lance then took off, leading troopers on a 28-mile chase. They caught up with him in Long Lake and arrested him.
Haupt later died at the hospital.
Friday morning, Lance was sentenced to 20 years to life in prison.
Family members of the victim shared their impact statements about how the loss has transformed their lives. Hear from them in a report from our Alek LaShomb tonight on the Channel 3 News at 6 p.m.