Probation for mom who lied to police

BY STACI WILSON

The mother of one of two teens killed in a Great Bend Twp. car crash last summer pleaded guilty Monday in New Milford District Court to giving false statements to police during the investigation.

Michelle Shepard, 37, Hallstead, was the mother of Brett Sterling who was killed, along with Alex Hinkley, on Old Lackawanna Trail on Aug. 4, 2010. Both men were 18 years old at the time.

According to the police affidavit, Hinkley and Sterling had both consumed alcohol prior to the crash at Shephard’s home on Airport Rd.

Shepard was placed on 12 months probation by Magisterial District Judge Peter Janicelli on a charge of unsworn falsification to authorities.

Hinkley’s blood alcohol content was .177% and Sterling’s BAC was .025%.

Shephard, along with three other adults and one juvenile who all face charges in connection with the incident, told police on multiple occasions during the investigation that they did not see anyone drinking alcohol the night of the crash.

The three other adults charged – Justin Froehlich, David Calla and Brina Swackhamer-Newman – have waived their preliminary hearings and charges have been bound over for trial.

Froehlich, 23, Montrose, is charged hindering prosecution and furnishing alcohol to minors.

Calla, 19, Hallstead, was charged with unsworn falsification to authorities and hindering prosecution.

Swackhamer-Newman, 21, Montrose, was charged with hindering prosecution.