dme court

A Harmony man who allowed a 14-year-old boy to drive a vehicle that struck a house had a misdemeanor child endangerment charge dismissed after he and the boy took a defensive driving course.

Michael Stockett, 44, and the boy took the defensive driver improvement course, which serves as an alternate outcome for teens who have been cited for minor driving offenses. The class is meant for teens aged 16-19, but Stockett and the 14-year-old were allowed to participate.

Along with the misdemeanor charge being dismissed, Stockett pleaded guilty to a summary moving violation at the Wednesday, Sept. 30, preliminary hearing before District Judge Amy Marcinkiewicz. He was sentenced to pay a $100 fine plus court costs.

Stockett’s previously scheduled preliminary hearing July 9 was continued after he agreed to take the driving course.