BURLINGTON, Vt. -
A 16-year-old from St. Albans is charged with driving drunk and could be held responsible for the death of a Vermont woman.
James Companion was in court Thursday.
Dressed in a white T-shirt, plaid shorts, hand and ankle cuffs and a cross around his neck, 16-year-old James Companion walked into the courtroom Thursday. According to court papers, he's accused of driving drunk and ultimately being responsible for 25 year old Tasha Maring's death.
"The defendant is 16 years old and that is young to be involved in a case like this, but it's a very serious case regardless of age and we are going to be treating it as such," Prosecuting Attorney Bram Kranichfeld said.
Police say it happened last Friday night.
Companion lost control of his car on Bay Road in Colchester, he crossed the center line, and hit a utility pole. The car then burst into flames, trapping Maring in the front seat.
"He's just in shock, this is a surreal situation for anybody, let alone a 16 year old child," Defense Attorney LeRoy Yoder said.
Given Companion's age, it hasn't been determined yet if he'll be tried as an adult. "For somebody of that age, there's a few different routes that can be taken," Yoder added.
As Companion left the courtroom, his mother threw her arms around him showing support.
Right now, he's being held in juvenile detention.
According to lawyers, if he is released following his next court appearance his mother would not be the guardian he's released to.
Companion pleaded not guilty today. He'll head back to court on June 29th.
I did have the chance to catch up with one of Tasha Maring's best friends.
She says Maring is leaving behind a seven-year-old son and is just devastated that someone so wonderful died so young.
She also said she isn't sure how James Companion even knew her friend.
