Somerset County man charged for letting teen drive, lying to officers

CAMBRIA COUNTY, Pa. (WTAJ) — A Somerset County man is facing charges after he allegedly let a 14-year-old drive his car and then lied about it to police.

Grant Marker, 25, of Rockwood is facing charges after officers from the East Taylor Township Police Department were called and informed of a car that was driving erratically. On June 6, officers received a report that a black sedan with red stripes was driving recklessly, according to the criminal complaint.

Police found the car on the 400 block of Donruth Lane with its hood up. Marker, who owned the vehicle, was questioned by police about the incident but claimed that he was not involved. The person who reported the incident told police that Marker was not the one driving, but that it was a young girl. The witness added that they had footage of the incident.

Police watched the video and allegedly observed Marker in the passenger seat of the car while a young girl, later identified to be 14 years old, was driving the vehicle carelessly. According to the affidavit, police then went to speak with Marker again about the incident, but saw that he was trying to drive away from the scene.

Police then stopped him and placed him in custody. He then allegedly admitted to having known that the 14-year-old had been driving and that “he knew he would be arrested for allowing the 14-year-old to drive.” Marker then told police that because the car was a turbo he did not realize how fast they were driving around a 10 mph speed zone where children were playing, according to the complaint.

Marker is misdemeanor charges of endangering the welfare of children, making a false report and disorderly conduct.

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He has a preliminary arraignment scheduled for July 8.

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