The driver of a hayride that killed one teen and injured more than 20 others has been found not guilty of reckless conduct.

David Brown was charged after the accident that happened in October 2014 at Harvest Hills Farm in Mechanic Falls. 17-year-old Cassidy Charette was killed in the crash and more than 20 others were hurt.

Prosecutors in the case claimed that the South Paris man knew the brakes on the 1979 Jeep he used to pull the wagon were faulty. They say he put both passengers and employees at risk by using the unsafe vehicle. But the 56-year-old told jurors that he had no indication of any mechanical issues with the Jeep.

The trial had been moved from Androscoggin to Sagadahoc County because of concerns over pre-trial publicity. The jury returned their verdict Tuesday.

 

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