Nothing about the reality that all of us have done really, really stupid things precludes a determination that what this guy did was really, really stupid. Now the news reports are saying he rolled the Jeep while doing "wheelies and donuts". I have yet to see any report stating he told anybody specifically where he was going or when he planned to return. That implies his neighbors or the parents of the niece + nephew generally knew he was headed out and that he had not returned by that night. Not exactly filing a flight plan, it would appear.
This young man put 4 small children in the back seat of a Jeep designed and certified to seat 3, took them out on a bitter cold day, may not have really told anybody exactly where he intended to go, then proceeded to horse around with the kids on board, rolling the Jeep. In my book, at least, that's every bit as stupid as the actions of young Mr. Stolpa. Stupid in a different way, granted, but incredibly stupid nonetheless. If he's not charged with endangering the children, he should consider himself lucky.
Again, I am most thankful that everybody is OK, and I totally admire his resourcefulness in how he managed to save all of their lives while out in the bitter cold for 2 nights. I'm just not willing to give him a "pass" on the manner by which he put himself and the children at risk to begin with.
Foy