Teen pleads guilty to dangerous driving causing death of Alyssa Davis

A teenage girl charged in the street-racing incident that killed Alyssa Davis, 17, has pleaded guilty to dangerous driving causing death.

• New evidence in Alyssa Davis street racing case delays plea

The girl entered the plea Tuesday at provincial court in St. John's. A charge of street racing was dropped.

Outside court after the plea, the girl and her family declined to comment.

I'd like to see anyone who drives a vehicle be charged as an adult, it's an adult responsibility.- Cory Kavanagh

Davis was killed in an accident just before last Christmas. The young woman who pleaded guilty Tuesday was driving the vehicle Davis was in.

"It doesn't change anything, it doesn't bring Alyssa back, but at least we can get closer to putting this behind us and continuing our grieving process," said Davis's uncle Cory Kavanagh.

In July, the girl who was driving the other vehicle pleaded guilty to dangerous operation of a motor vehicle, while a street-racing charge against her was similarly dropped.

• Alyssa Davis death: Teenage girl pleads guilty to dangerous driving

"It's just good to see some action being taken," said Kavanagh, who said the family expected the street racing charge to be dropped.

Sentencing to come

Kavanagh said his family has a message to other teenage drivers.

"Be aware of the responsibility you have when you get behind the wheel of a car as a driver. It's not a joy ride," he said.

"The consequences of a very bad decision lead to injury and death and years of grief and bitterness and anger. It's not something to be taken lightly," said Kavanagh. 

The two teenage drivers in the crash that killed Davis have not been sentenced, but Kavanagh said he'd like to see harsher punishments.

"I'd like to see anyone who drives a vehicle be charged as an adult, it's an adult responsibility."

Judge David Orr accepted the guilty plea and set the matter over for sentencing on Jan. 9.