Nyack transformed into Vermont for new Netflix show
NEWS

Judge: Michael Ware failed to be a father

"Neither I, nor my daughter ... ever meant any harm to anyone that day," Ware told the court.

Alex Taylor
artaylor@lohud.com

An Eastchester man's "failure to be a father" led to a car crash a year ago that killed three teenagers, a Pennsylvania judge said as he lectured him at an emotional sentencing hearing Thursday.

Judge Raymond Hamill told Michael Ware, 54, the crash had been "preventable, irresponsible, reckless, stupid, selfish" and, finally, "criminal" — convincing him to send Ware to prison for 6 1/2 to 16 years.

Ware admitted in July that he had let his unlicensed daughter, then 15, drive his Chevrolet Suburban on Aug. 30, 2014, near a Pocono resort community in Paupack Township, where he owns a vacation home. His daughter took the vehicle, with five friends inside, to buy breakfast before speeding down a hill and flipping the SUV several times.

Cullen Keffer, Shamus Digney and Ryan Lesher, all 15-year-old residents of Bucks County, Pennsylvania, were killed. Another passenger was seriously injured.

Ware's daughter, who lives in Pleasantville, and another Westchester County teen were uninjured.

The bacon, egg and cheese sandwich Ware had reportedly asked his daughter to bring back for him was found in the wreckage.

"He basically gave his daughter a gun and put the bullets in it for her," said Wilson Black, Digney's uncle, as he entered court.

Ware had faced a maximum of 21 years behind bars and $45,000 in fines at the sentencing. Ware, who had been free on bond, was taken to the Wayne County prison after sentencing.

"Your irresponsible parenting caused the deaths of three amazing boys," Lisa Lesher, Ryan Lesher's mother, told Ware in court. "Your desire to be the cool dad devastated the entire community."

Ware addressed the judge briefly, speaking from notes, before Hamill handed down his sentence.

"I will never be able to feel the loss the families will forever feel," Ware said. "I can only say, hopefully, this brings some form of closure for everyone affected by this horrible tragedy. Neither I, nor my daughter ... ever meant any harm to anyone that day."

The story continues below the video. 

The judge, who spoke for 20 minutes, noted Ware initially lied to investigators and, for about 60 days, let his daughter take the full blame for the crash by denying he had allowed her to drive that day. Hamill also said Ware had failed to convince him that he was a candidate for rehabilitation.

"Not once did you say, 'I'm sorry,'" until the sentencing," the judge told Ware. "Not once did you say, 'I'm responsible.'"

The judge characterized Ware as an overly permissive father who failed to set appropriate rules. He noted Ware's daughter told investigators she had been driving since the age of 14 and had driven from New York to the Poconos that weekend, putting more mileage on the car that trip than her father.

"Your failure to be a father and say no caused these tragic deaths," Hamill told Ware.

Relatives of the dead boys held hands in court and closed their eyes. Some of the parents sobbed while others sat stoically.

The SUV that flipped and rolled over last year in Paupack Township, Pa., killing three teenagers.

"Today's sentence is absolutely a message to any parent who thinks it's OK to break the law and allow their children to do so as well," District Attorney Janine Edwards said afterward.

Ware's lawyer, Robert Reno, said he believed the judge had mischaracterized Ware's remorse and called the sentence "ridiculous." He said they would appeal.

Michael Ware, center, of Eastchester enters Wayne County Courthouse in Honesdale, Pennsylvania, for sentencing Thursday, Aug. 20, 2015.

Ware pleaded guilty in July to three misdemeanor counts of reckless endangerment and three of involuntary manslaughter. He had initially faced felony charges.

Ware's daughter acknowledged responsibility in juvenile court to vehicular homicide counts and was placed on indefinite probation. She was also ordered to do 300 hours of community service, pay restitution and write a 2,000-word essay on the impact of her crime.

Her attorney, John Stieh, told The Philadelphia Inquirer in May that she was in a "really dark and nasty place" and "doesn't stop thinking about it." He said she hadn't spoken to her father since the crash.

Joe Keffer, father of Cullen Keffer, spoke to reporters at the bottom of the courthouse steps after Thursday's sentencing.

"I'm satisfied the judge went over and above the recommended sentence," he said. "However, Mr. Ware will not have to endure the lifetime of misery our three families will."

The Associated Press contributed to this report.

Twitter: @alextailored