Teens charged for throwing rocks at cars

BY JOSEPH KOHUT
Times-Shamrock Writer

Three young men from Susquehanna County damaged more than two dozen vehicles Sunday by chucking rocks and stolen debris from a Greenfield Twp. overpass at vehicles traveling Interstate 81, state police from Gibson and Dunmore said.

They threw rocks, stolen fire extinguishers, wood and pieces of guardrail from atop the Spedding Road overpass, where they were apprehended.

The two 16-year-olds and 17-year-old will be charged with propulsion of missiles, recklessly endangering another person, criminal mischief, theft, receiving stolen property and possession of drug paraphernalia. They were not identified in a news release. It was not immediately clear if they will be charged in juvenile court.

No one was injured, but a similar case several weeks ago in Lewisburg highlighted the potential for tragedy. On July 10, four teens severely injured Ohio teacher Sharon Budd by dropping a nearly five pound rock from an overpass while the car traveled along Interstate 80, according to an Associated Press report. The rock crashed through the windshield and collided with Mrs. Budd’s head. She survived, but the rock caused massive head injuries. Mrs. Budd is recovering from the attack.

New Columbia residents Keefer McGee, 17, Brett Lahr, 19, Dylan Lahr, 17, and Tyler Porter, 18, of Sunbury, are awaiting trial on charges of aggravated assault and related charges.

Keefer testified last month in a preliminary hearing the four planned on throwing rocks at cars but did not intend to hurt anyone.

Anyone who saw objects being thrown or anyone who was hit by one of the objects in Susquehanna County can call state police at 570-963-3156 for the Dunmore barracks or 570-465-3154 for the Gibson barracks.