The road between Two Creeks Road and Lake Pine Drive was shut down for weeks after investigators said Tristan Zammit set a fire in the culvert on March 21.
The Cary High School student confessed days later and a search warrant showed investigators believed Zammit was trying to burn his name into the side of the pipe, which was coated with flammable tar to prevent rust.
The incident caused $480,000 in damage.
Zammit appeared before a judge Thursday along with his father.
The teen could be facing 60 days in jail and could have to pay some of the almost half a million dollar repair cost.
Official said they have worked with North Carolina Department of Transportation to make sure that restitution is a part of the court proceedings.
Zammit didn't want to comment after the judge continued his case to June 4.
Court records show he has other cases pending for misdemeanor assault, larceny and felony breaking and entering.
However, his attorney told ABC11 he's a good guy and they're looking toward their next court date.
"It's hard to say whether it will be resolved in June 4, but we'll look at the facts and we'll get everything together," Drew Sprague said. "Tristan is a good kid. He's a 17-year-old kid. He's a junior at Cary High School and ... he's just a good kid."
See It On TV | Report A Typo |
Send Tip |
Get Alerts | Send us photos
Follow @abc11 on Twitter | Become a fan on Facebook
