Dad, Son Face Charges After Teen Died Following Under-Age Party

A Dublin father and son face charges after an intoxicated 18-year-old crashed his car and died, Aug. 4, after leaving their home. Brian Willms, 51, and his son, Cameron, 19, have been charged under Dublin’s “social-host" ordinance after a party was held at their home during which minors consumed alcohol. Stephen Romanelli, 18, crashed his car into a tree on Muirfield Drive after attending the party. But according to police reports and witness statements, Romanelli rode to the party with a friend who also drove him home. After Romanelli was dropped off at his house, about two miles away, he returned to the Willmses twice, in his own car, to search for his misplaced cell phone. One witness described Ronamelli as “frustratedâ€? about his missing cell phone and speeding. The report says witnesses heard a loud crash shortly after Romanelli left the final time. Romanelli’s blood alcohol level was more than twice the legal limit, and a toxicology report detected marijuana in his system. Brian Willms told police he did not know the teens were drinking in the basement. The Willmses are due in Dublin Mayor’s Court Nov. 5. The face up to 180 days in jail. Dublin Police declined to comment about the case, and the Willmses have not returned phone calls.