Ohio teen pleads guilty in stop sign prank deaths

CIRCLEVILLE, Ohio (AP) — An Ohio teen has pleaded guilty to reckless homicide charges in a fatal traffic crash caused by a stop sign concealed with petroleum jelly and plastic wrap.

A defense attorney says 19-year-old Seth Stonerock of Stoutsville pleaded guilty today in Circleville to two reckless homicide charges. Atty. William Meeks says two counts of involuntary manslaughter and a charge of tampering with a street sign were dropped in the plea agreement.

The Circleville law director has said Stonerock admitted wrapping the stop sign in plastic.

Authorities say 85-year-old Mary Spangler died in the Aug. 17 crash when her 81-year-old sister, Jeanne Shea, drove past the stop sign and into another car. Shea died Sept. 6.

Meeks says Stonerock is remorseful and accepted full responsibility for his actions.