WAYNESBURG, Pa. -- The owner of a defunct bar was acquitted of charges filed after an 18-year-old who had been drinking there got into an accident that killed the teen and a passenger.

James Superack drank at Michael Koratich's Golden Rail in November 2004 and crashed his car into a tree, killing himself and 21-year-old Chad Seybold.

Greene County prosecutors said the bar was known to serve minors, and Mr. Koratich was charged with involuntary manslaughter and reckless endangerment.

Jurors yesterdy cleared Mr. Koratich of criminal charges but found the bar guilty of serving minors. The corporation will be fined.

Mr. Koratich's attorney, Noah Geary, said Mr. Koratich was home asleep when the crash occurred and said the bartenders and doorman working the night in question were not charged.

Mr. Superack, of Waynesburg, had a blood-alcohol content of 0.18, more than twice the 0.08 legal limit for adults. A friend testified that Mr. Superack drank and used drugs before going to the bar.

That, speeding and Mr. Superack's talking on a cell phone led to the crash, Mr. Geary said.

"There was no way he could be found criminally responsible for the acts of his employees," Mr. Geary said after the verdict. "I know that Mr. Koratich is genuinely sorry for the loss to both families."

District Attorney Marjorie Fox had argued that as owner and manager, Mr. Koratich was ultimately responsible.

First Published: January 25, 2007, 5:00 a.m.