This is an archived article that was published on sltrib.com in 2016, and information in the article may be outdated. It is provided only for personal research purposes and may not be reprinted.
Auburn, Maine • A Maine farm has pleaded guilty for its role in a holiday hayride crash two years ago that killed a teenager and injured more than 20 people.
Harvest Hill Farms pleaded guilty Tuesday to a charge of driving to endanger in exchange for dismissal of a more serious manslaughter charge. Under the plea agreement, most of a $7,500 fine will go to charity, along with restitution to be sorted out later.
The October 2014 crash in Mechanic Falls claimed the life of 17-year-old Cassidy Charette. Her parents' attorney said the company "chose profit ahead of safety."
Prosecutors said farm workers knew the Jeep that was hauling the hay wagon had bad brakes. The driver was acquitted and charges against a mechanic were dropped.