PITTSBURGH — The father of a 12-year-old girl who was killed when his SUV backed over her has been ordered to stand trial on drunken driving and endangerment charges.

Richard Benton, 54, of Pittsburgh, waived his right to a preliminary hearing Monday after Allegheny County prosecutors added two counts of endangering the welfare of a child to a previously filed drunken driving charge.

Police contend Benton was drunk when Shamera Harris got out of his SUV on Feb. 23 to pose for photos with a boy after her first date. When Benton also got out, the vehicle drove backward over the girl, dragging her until it hit a tree.

“He’s maintaining he’s innocent of any wrongdoing. It’s a horrible tragedy for the whole family,” defense attorney David Cercone said after the court proceeding.

According to a criminal complaint, Benton refused field sobriety and breath tests after slurring his words and smelling of alcohol at the scene of the crash. Benton told police he thought the vehicle was in park.