A hearing in Butler County juvenile court is set next week for a 17-year-old boy accused of crashing an all-terrain vehicle in Fairview Township and killing a friend while allegedly driving drunk.

The pre-adjudication conference for the teen was set after state police Friday charged him with homicide by vehicle while driving under the influence stemming from the Feb. 27 fatality.

However, prosecutors have not ruled the possibility that he could still be tried as an adult. He is not being named here because his case is in juvenile court at this time.

Police said the boy’s blood-alcohol level was at least four times the legal limit for teen drivers when he lost control of his ATV between 10:30 and 11:30 p.m. at Butternut and Spruce roads.

The rollover wreck killed 16-year-old Briggs R. Buck of Chicora, who was on the back of the vehicle.

The driver, who also was 16 at the time, suffered only minor injuries.

Investigators allege that after the crash, the teen drove home and went to bed without notifying authorities about what happened.

Police on Nov. 25 arrested the boy’s uncle, Steven Ray Rider Jr., 33, of Parker Township, on involuntary manslaughter and other charges in connection with the same wreck.

Rider is accused of providing both boys with beer and liquor that night.

At the teen’s pre-adjudication conference on Dec. 16, it will be decided whether or not he will enter a guilty plea or fight the charges.

The juvenile court hearing is similar to a formal arraignment in adult court.

Butler County District Attorney Richard Goldinger on Monday said he is still “considering” filing a motion that could transfer the charges to adult court.

“I still need more information to determine if this kid is amenable to treatment in the juvenile court system,” Goldinger said.