Teen charged in death of friend after car crash to appear in court

A 17-year-old charged in connection with a crash that claimed his friend’s life will appear in court today.

The teenager, who cannot be named because of his age, was charged with dangerous operation causing death and criminal negligence causing death.

Police allege the teen was driving along Lake Shore Boulevard on Good Friday with four friends in his car when he lost control, drove through a guardrail and plunged into the Don River.

Four of the teens escaped the submerged car but it was half an hour before rescue crews could pull 16-year-old A.J. Blugerman’s lifeless body from the river.

The accused in this case will be tried as a minor in youth court.