Father Of Teen Driver In Fatal Poconos Crash Scheduled For Court Appearance Tuesday

The New York father who allegedly allowed his unlicensed teen daughter to drive his SUV, which crashed and killed three Council Rock teens last Labor Day weekend in the Poconos, will ask a judge to dismiss the most serious charges against him during a hearing Tuesday.

Michael Ware, of Eastchester, N. Y., will ask a judge to dismiss three counts of involuntary manslaughter, two counts of child endangerment and four of six counts of reckless endangerment at the hearing in Wayne County Court, the Bucks County Courier Times reported.

If the judge grants Ware’s motion, he will still face two reckless endangerment counts, charges of giving false information and permitting an unlicensed driver to use his vehicle, The Journal News reported.

Authorities allege Ware, the owner of a vacation home at Wallenpaupak Lake Estates, allowed his teen daughter, Julia, to drive his Chevrolet Suburban on Aug. 30. The SUV flipped over in a single-car crash, killing Cullen Keffer, Shamus Digney and Ryan Lesher, all incoming sophomores at Council Rock South.

He faces two counts of endangering the welfare of children, three counts of involuntary manslaughter, six counts of recklessly endangering another person, one count of false reports and one count of permitting an unauthorized person to drive.

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

In April, the Pleasantville, N.Y. 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.