Maine Maritime Academy in Castine. Staff file photo by John Patriquin

A passenger in the crash that killed four Maine Maritime Academy students in December 2022 pleaded guilty Friday under a deal with prosecutors to avoid jail time.

Noelle Tavares, 22, of Falmouth, Massachusetts, appeared in Hancock County Superior Court on Friday afternoon to plead guilty to procuring alcohol for a minor resulting in death, a Class C crime, in exchange for a two-year deferred disposition, meaning the felony will be dismissed if she follows a set of rules ordered by the court.

Tavares must be evaluated for a substance use disorder and follow any recommended treatment and not use or possess any alcohol. She also will have to address the next two incoming freshman classes at Maine Maritime Academy about the dangers of driving drunk by talking about her personal experience.

The December 2022 crash on Route 166 in Castine killed Brian Kenealy, 20, of York; Chase Fossett, 21, of Gardiner; Luke Simpson, 22, of Rockport, Massachusetts; and Riley Ignacio-Cameron, 20, of Aquinnah, Massachusetts.

Though Tavares was not driving the vehicle, she was accused of being a “co-conspirator” in the crash because she allegedly gave the driver, Joshua Goncalves-Radding, the keys and purchased alcohol with a fake ID before the crash. She was originally charged with manslaughter, operating under the influence and other charges, all of which she pleaded not guilty to in August 2023.

According to the new plea agreement, some family members of the four victims asked the court for leniency and forgiveness for Tavares and Goncalves-Radding, who were good friends with the other students.

“Some of the surviving family members expressed that they did not want Ms. Tavares to suffer severe consequences that would forever hinder her chances of success in life,” the agreement read.

Classmates, teammates and other friends sign a card in December 2022 during a vigil for Chase Fossett at Gardiner Area High School. Andy Molloy/Kennebec Journal

If Tavares follows the conditions, she will be allowed to withdraw her guilty plea and instead plead to a misdemeanor charge, paying a $500 fine and a $1,000 donation to the organization Students Against Destructive Decisions.

If she doesn’t follow the conditions, she will be sentenced on the felony charge, which is punishable with up to five years in prison, a $5,000 fine, or both.

“I wish you all the best,” Justice Patrick Larson told Tavares. “You have a bright future. You can’t let a momentary lapse of judgment affect how you are. People will judge you from here on out, but let them judge you on how you are.”

Hancock County District Attorney Bob Granger said Tavares wasn’t the only person who bought alcohol on the night of the crash, which “presented some evidentiary issues” if the case went to trial.

“It’s been two years, and everyone wanted to put this matter to rest and bring some closure to it,” Granger said in an interview after the hearing. “I certainly believe Ms. Tavares wanted some closure as well. … It’s a good outcome. We’re content with it. The families were content with it.”

Tavares’ attorney, William Bly, said in an interview after the hearing that his client is also happy with the agreement.

“My hope is (because) this was such a publicized proceeding and case … that general age group in college maybe took notice of this and it impacts their decision-making moving forward,” Bly said.

He said Tavares has already been planning her speech to the Maine Maritime Academy students and is looking forward to it.

“I think it’s going to have some real impact on the kids in the freshman class, and if it gives just one kid, out of all of those kids, pause about getting behind the wheel after they’ve been drinking, that is a huge benefit,” Bly said. “I’m really happy for Noelle and that she’s on board with that.”

THE NIGHT OF THE CRASH

Goncalves-Radding, 22, of North Babylon, New York, was driving the six friends home from the G-Force bar in Bangor while under the influence of alcohol. He was driving over 100 mph when he lost control of the car, which then hit a tree and burst into flames.

Four of the passengers died on impact, while the other three, including Goncalves-Radding, escaped and were transported to the hospital with severe injuries, court documents show.

Goncalves-Radding was convicted in June for multiple charges of manslaughter, aggravated operating under the influence. He is serving a three-year prison sentence.

According to court documents, Dominick Gecoya, of Middleton, Massachusetts, gave Tavares the key fob to the 2013 Land Rover, which belonged to his father. Tavares allegedly called Gecoya after the crash to apologize for “letting Josh drive that night.”

Gecoya was originally charged with a list of crimes similar to Tavares and Goncalves-Radding but is no longer facing charges.