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BU Student Pleads Guilty In New Zealand Crash

AUCKLAND, New Zealand (AP) — An American student who crashed a minivan in New Zealand, killing three of his Boston University classmates, has pleaded guilty to seven counts of careless driving causing injury or death.

Fairfax Media reports that 20-year-old Stephen Houseman pleaded guilty Wednesday to the charges in Auckland District Court. Fairfax reports Houseman's lawyer is seeking for him to be discharged without a criminal conviction, an option available under the New Zealand legal system.

On May 12, Houseman was driving one of three minivans carrying 26 Boston University students to a central North Island hike when he crashed. Those killed were Austin Brashears, of California; Daniela Lekhno, of New Jersey; and Roch Jauberty, of Paris, France. Houseman and four other students were injured.

Copyright 2012 The Associated Press.

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