Teen in court over fatal crash

DANVILLE, Ind. (WISH) - The 17-year-old accused of causing a car wreck that killed another teen and seriously injuring three others was in court Monday for the first time.

Christopher Hubbard is accused of driving while under the influence of marijuana when the car he was driving crashed May 19, killing 18-year-old Nathan Gentry . He walked into the Hendricks County courtroom Monday with the aid of a walker, his parents by his side.

The prosecution presented the facts to the defense a couple of days ago. And because of not having time to go through all the evidence, the defense denied the allegations against the teen. But that denial has the possibility of changing in the next few days.

"There is an accident reconstruction, there is lab results from the blood draw ... . There are several witnesses who first showed up, several EMTs, law enforcement, several things the hospital … medical records that we are still pouring through, before we can make a determination on whether or not to make an admission or to stand behind the denial," said John Fierek, Hubbard’s attorney.

Fierek said it's an emotional time.

"They feel terrible about it. They are remorseful. And I think everybody understands that," he said.

Hubbard is still charged as a juvenile, but the prosecution could ask for the case to be waived to adult court.

But Al Gentry, father of the teen who was killed in the crash, took issue with the initial plea.

"A minor can kill someone ... . If he's a few months older, he could spend the next decade in jail. But that doesn't happen with minors. Realistically, it’s going to be out very quickly," he said.

In juvenile court, the punishment for the charges Hubbard is facing could range from jail time to probation.