Teen charged with vehicular homicide

CANAAN - Police say a Columbia County teenager was drunk when he caused the crash that resulted in a man's death - and they say his mother gave him the alcohol.

Seventeen-year-old Lars Haas of New Lebanon is charged with vehicular. The Columbia County Sheriff's Office says Haas ran a red light on Sept. 25 and crashed into the side of another vehicle at routes 22 and 295 in Canaan.

The driver of the other car, 72-year-old Robert Meehan of Chatham, died on Nov. 14 as a result of his injuries.

The sheriff's office says their investigation showed that Haas sped up as he approached the intersection.

Haas had two other teens in the car with him. They both suffered serious injuries.

Deputies say they found several cans of beer in the car the teen was driving. The sheriff's office says his blood alcohol content was at least 0.08, the legal limit for DWI. They say the blood test was also positive for marijuana.

In addition to vehicular homicide, Haas is also facing vehicular assault and DWI charges.

The sheriff's office says his mother, Susan Haas, supplied her son and his friends with alcohol at her home. She's charged with three counts of unlawfully dealing with a child.

Mother and son were both arraigned Monday. Susan Haas was released. Lars Haas is being held in the Columbia County Jail in lieu of bail. Both are due back in court on Dec. 3.