A teenager who was driving at the time of a fatal crash in Harrison in 2010 won’t do any jail time and had the most serious charge against her, manslaughter, dropped.

Under a plea deal, Morgan Kesseli pleaded guilty to lesser charges Friday and will be on probation until she is 21.

Kesseli, now 19, was charged in connection with the death of a passenger, Thomas McLendon, 19 of Oxford Hills. Two other male passengers, 20 and 21, were badly injured in the crash.

Police said excessive speed was a primary factor in the crash in which the sport utility vehicle she was driving crossed the center line and hit some trees.

Kesseli was 17 at the time.

Her lawyers, J.P. DeGrinney and Peter J Richard Jr, said in a statement that their client was not intoxicated or texting at the time of the crash. Police initially concluded that excessive speed was the primary cause of the crash, but subsequent investigation showed that driver inexperience and wet road conditions also were significant factors.

Kesseli pleaded guilty to three counts of aggravated assault, one count of reckless conduct with a dangerous weapon and one count of aggravated driving to endanger.

She received a suspended sentence and is on probation until she is 21, slightly less than two years.


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