EASTON, Mass. (AP) – Four Mansfield teenagers were charged Tuesday with manslaughter for allegedly dragging large tires onto an Easton road, which later caused the death of a college student whose vehicle crashed into a tree after striking a tire.

Shaun Connolly, 19, and three male juveniles were scheduled to be arraigned Wednesday in Taunton District Court, police said.

The four teenagers admitted to police last week that they were responsible for placing the discarded tires in the middle of Chestnut Street in Easton, police said. A juvenile girl was also involved, but she was not charged.

The large tractor tires were used to block access to a farmer’s field.

Edwin A. Keach, 21, a Northeastern University student, struck one in his SUV before crashing into a tree early Dec. 21.

The youths left the scene after placing the tires in the road and did not witness the crash, Easton police said.

The youths were unaware of the fatality until one of their friends saw media reports about the crash and told police. Police said the youths have shown remorse.

None of the teens had been in trouble with police before.

AP-ES-12-30-03 1908EST