The 17-year-old boy accused of crashing an ATV and killing a friend has admitted to homicide by vehicle while driving under the influence of alcohol.

The admission was made Wednesday in Butler County Juvenile Court before Butler County President Judge Thomas Doerr.

An admission in juvenile court is parallel to a guilty plea in adult court. The disposition of the case, which is parallel to sentencing in adult court, is scheduled for Feb 17.

The judge could chose to keep the boy, who is not being named because he is a juvenile, under supervision as long as his 21st birthday.

Investigators have alleged the boy on Feb. 27 had a blood-alcohol level at least four times the legal limit for teen drivers when he lost control of his ATV between Butternut and Spruce roads in Fairview Township.

Investigators have alleged that the boy left his passenger, 16-year-old Briggs R. Buck of Chicora, on the roadside, drove home and went to bed without using his cellular telephone to call for help.

Buck died in the rollover wreck.