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, the boy’s parents as well as family of the victim, 16-year-old Briggs R. Buck of Chicora.

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.

While the same charge could draw 3 to 6 years in prison in adult court, the punishment is not the same for juveniles.

The judge could choose 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 the boy left Briggs on the roadside, drove home and went to bed without using his cell phone to call for help.

Buck died in the rollover wreck.

Assistant District Attorney Russ Karl on Wednesday said the boy’s admission was the best resolution to the case “because this was the highest charge allowed.”

While prosecutors had publicly discussed the possibility of asking the courts to move the case to adult court, Karl said the juvenile court ending was appropriate because the boy has been doing well under supervision.

The boy’s probation officer testified during the hearing the boy, a junior at Karns City High School, is doing well in school and at home.

The boy’s defense attorney, Jack Haller, declined to comment.

Meantime, the boy’s uncle, 33-year-old Steven Ray Rider Jr. of Parker Township, still faces a charge of involuntary manslaughter related to the crash.

State police allege Rider provided both boys with beer and liquor on the day of the fatal crash.

Rider remains free on $250,000 bail.