Eastchester Father Of Teen Driver In Fatal Poconos Crash Pleads Guilty

Written by KARA SEYMOUR (Patch Staff)

The father of an unlicensed teen who was driving during a crash that killed three Council Rock South students has pleaded guilty, officials said in a press release.

Michael Ware, of Eastchester, has pleaded guilty to three counts of involuntary manslaughter and three counts of recklessly endangering another person in connection with the Aug. 30 crash, according to the Wayne County District Attorney’s office.

He will be sentenced August 20.

The charges have a maximum prison sentence of 21 years.

Authorities say Ware allowed his unlicensed teen daughter to drive his SUV, which crashed, killing Cullen Keffer, Shamus Digney and Ryan Lesher, all incoming sophomores at Council Rock South.

Ware and his daughter, Julia, were vacationing at Wallenpaupak Lake Estates. The Council Rock teens were also there for the Labor Day weekend.

Pennsylvania State Police said that Ware initially lied about giving his daughter permission to drive the car, but authorities later learned Ware allowed his daughter to drive his car before the accident as well.

In April, the Pleasantville teen pleaded guilty in Juvenile Court to seven charges, including three counts of felony homicide by vehicle and two misdemeanor counts of accidents involving death or injury as an unlicensed driver.

She was sentenced in May to indefinite probation and 300 hours of community service. She must also write a 2,000 word essay on the impact of the crash and pay more than $44,000 in restitution.

Julia Ware has not spoken to her father since the accident, according to the Philadelphia Inquirer.