CANTON — The heartbroken mother of Gary L. Hughes II recommended leniency for the Gouverneur teen who killed her son in a car accident.

Sharon S. Mika didn't want Theodore R. Parsons III to receive jail time, instead requesting he receive community service and be granted youthful offender status, which would seal the court records. St. Lawrence County Judge Jerome J. Richards offered him a chance Monday after hearing her impassioned plea.

"I know nothing here today would bring my son back," she said, noting Mr. Parsons hasn't been in trouble since the accident.

Mr. Parsons, 17, of Park Street, was placed on one-year interim probation and ordered to give 10 speeches at high schools over the next year about the dangers of driving while impaired by drugs. He pleaded guilty March 10 to second-degree vehicular manslaughter.

He admitted driving under the influence of marijuana and a prescription drug Nov. 26 when his car slid off Peabody Road, Gouverneur, and hit a tree. Mr. Hughes, 17, of Gouverneur, who was in the rear seat and wasn't wearing a seat belt, was ejected and died of multiple injuries.

Another passenger, Joseph M. Storie, 17, Gouverneur, suffered head and back injuries in the accident. All three were seniors at Gouverneur Central School with senior privileges that allowed them to leave school during their lunch hour.

"I accept responsibility," Mr. Parsons said. "I am trying to change my life around."

Mr. Parsons also was ordered to pay $3,910.50 in restitution and had his driver's license revoked.

Judge Richards had postponed sentencing of Mr. Parsons until after he graduated from Gouverneur High School, which happened Friday. The judge said he would make a final sentencing determination on June 15, 2009, should Mr. Parsons successfully abide by the conditions of interim probation.

Defense attorney Gary W. Miles said his client has enrolled for classes this fall at Jefferson Community College in Watertown.