MEYERSDALE, Pa. -- A man who police say was drunk when he let his 4-year-old son steer his car was ordered to stand trial on drunken driving and child endangerment charges.

Albert Boyce Jr., 33, of Hyndman, Somerset County, denies he let his son drive the night of July 14, when his sport-utility vehicle crashed into a tree.

But a witness told police that he heard the boy say, "I'm sorry, Daddy, I didn't mean it" to which Mr. Boyce replied, "That's the last time I let you drive."

Mr. Boyce's blood-alcohol content was 0.222 percent after the crash, nearly three times the state's 0.08 percent limit, and traces of marijuana were also found in his system, state police said. Police found an open 30-pack of beer in the vehicle.

After yesterday's hearing, defense attorney Harvey Daniels said Mr. Boyce is a devoted father who would not have endangered his son as police claimed.

"I spoke with the boy and he said he did not sit on his (father's) lap," Mr. Daniels said.

Mr. Boyce received facial injuries in the crash, and the child was treated and released for unspecified injuries, authorities said.