A Saratoga County man has been sentenced to up to 25 years in state prison for the vehicular homicide of a Walmart employee and the assault of two others during a shoplifting attempt in October 2025. Timothy W. Besaw, 35, pleaded guilty in April to aggravated vehicular homicide and first-degree vehicular assault.

Besaw was confronted by three Walmart employees in the parking lot of a Wilton store on the night of October 16, 2025, after they suspected him of shoplifting. Prosecutors stated that Besaw entered his vehicle and intentionally accelerated, swerving toward the employees and striking them. He then fled the scene, crashing his vehicle in a secluded area. New York State Police found Besaw impaired and recovered open containers of alcohol and controlled substances from his vehicle. He refused a breathalyzer test.

Michael Bushey, 69, one of the employees struck, succumbed to his injuries a few weeks later at Albany Medical Center. The other two victims sustained serious but non-life-threatening injuries. Following Bushey's death, prosecutors added a homicide charge.

Bushey's daughter, Brittany Sanders, stated that her father, who was healthy and active, had simply asked Besaw to leave the property. Bushey had undergone multiple surgeries for a broken hip, pelvis, and wrist, as well as several broken ribs. Sanders reported that he had taken a sudden turn and suffered cardiac arrest. Despite life-saving efforts, a large blood clot was discovered in his artery. "My father was healthy and very active nobody could have ever seen this coming! If it wasn’t for the coward who decided to hit him with his vehicle, he would still be here with us," Sanders wrote on GoFundMe. Bushey was awaiting transfer to a rehabilitation facility before returning home.

Michael Bushey, 69, was one of the employees hit by the vehicle. He succumbed to his injuries a few weeks later in the hospital

Besaw was found to be carrying stolen merchandise when apprehended. Saratoga County District Attorney Brett Eby stated, "Today’s sentence reflects the devastating consequences of the Defendant’s actions and holds him accountable for the immeasurable harm he caused." He added, "While no sentence can restore the life that was taken or erase the trauma inflicted upon the surviving victim and the families involved, we hope this outcome provides a measure of justice and closure."

Timothy W Besaw, 35, has been handed the maximum sentence after he struck two Walmart employees with his vehicle in October, which ultimately led to the death of one victim

Besaw received two concurrent sentences: one for 12.5 to 25 years for aggravated vehicular homicide, and a second for 3.5 to seven years for first-degree vehicular assault.