Father of teen killed in crash would rather the BU driver be an advocate than a prisoner

Rising Sophomore Joseph Kapp has been charged with motor vehicle homicide by driving under the influence of liquor with negligence, resulting in the death and injury of his friends. Austin Robbins, 18, was killed in the Saturday crash alongside Sean McNiff, 19, who was injured. Robbins had not been wearing a seatbelt, his father said.

A friend’s post on the victim’s Facebook wall

Assistant District Attorney Anthony H. Melia said that Kapp told police they had been at a party at Fitchburg State University and  had been drinking, speeding, and showing off at the time of the crash.

Instead of facing jail time, Robbin’s father rather hopes the court will rule Kapp to talk to students about the ramifications of drinking and driving.

“I would like to see him reformed, get back on his feet, be the kid he was,” Robbins told the Boston Herald. “Everybody makes mistakes. Make him do community service. Make him go around and talk to schools.” This all despite the charges holding a penalty of up to 15 years in prison.

Kapp plead not guilty in Fitchburg District Court to motor vehicle homicide while driving negligently and under the influence of alcohol, operating under the influence of alcohol, negligent operation of a motor vehicle, and operating negligently and under the influence of alcohol causing serious bodily injury. He was released on $2,500 bail pending a Sept. 29 pre-trial hearing and ordered to surrender his passport and remain drug and alcohol-free, with 
random testing, according to the Boston Herald.

“His life has been irreparably and permanently changed by what happened in this case,” said Kapp’s lawyer. “He just lost his best friend and was involved in something incredibly tragic.”