WEST WARWICK, R.I. (AP) – Police have charged a 23-year-old man with providing alcohol to a 14-year-old boy who later took his mother’s van for a joyride and died when he crashed into a utility pole near his home.
The tragedy was compounded when an 18-year-old friend of the boy was struck and killed by a hit-and-run driver at a makeshift roadside memorial to the 14-year-old.
Mark Woods was charged with procuring or purchasing alcohol for a minor and contributing to the delinquency of a minor, according to The Providence Journal. He was ordered held without bail because he already was probation for a previous crime. He is due in court Monday.
Woods is accused of getting alcohol for Darien Plass, 14, who drank it with friends on the night of March 23. Plass’ friends told police the young teenager become drunk and decided to take his mother’s minivan for a ride. He crashed about 20 minutes after driving up and down Main Street in front of his house.
About five hours after Plass died, Andrew Coit was struck by the hit-and-run driver as he strummed a farewell song on his guitar to his friend in front of the utility pole. Police are searching for a car with front-end damage with the hope that could lead them to the driver.
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