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Woman Gets 2 Years Probation For Giving Teen Pre-Crash Beer

WASHINGTON, Pa. (KDKA/AP) - A 25-year-old western Pennsylvania woman will spent two years on probation for serving beer to teens at a party she hosted, before one of them was killed in a fatal crash afterward.

The (Washington) Observer-Reporter says 25-year-old Elizabeth Ann Smith, of Blaine Township, was sentenced Wednesday in Washington County.

She received the sentence after pleading guilty to four counts of furnishing alcohol to minors after prosecutors agreed to drop a charge of involuntary manslaughter in the death of 19-year-old Christopher Wetzel on June 18, 2011.

The accident happened on State Route 221 in Blaine Township around 2:30 a.m.

Authorities say the driver of the Jeep Cherokee lost control while negotiating a left curve in the road. The vehicle slid sideways and rolled over.

Wetzel was killed in the crash and two other party guests, including a 17-year-old girl, were injured.

Defense attorney Joseph Yablonski called the crash an unfortunate accident and says the poor condition of Wetzel's car was a factor in the crash.

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