A Seeley Lake man who killed a woman while driving under the influence changed his plea to guilty to four felonies and one misdemeanor in Missoula County District Court on Tuesday, July 18.
Kerry Glen Drew, 68, was charged with vehicular homicide while under the influence, negligent vehicular assault, criminal endangerment and criminal possession of dangerous drugs — all felonies. Drew was also charged with misdemeanor vehicular assault.
In exchange for his guilty plea, prosecutors dropped one felony charge for tampering with physical evidence. He still faces more than 55 years in prison.
Drew killed one person and injured at least two Dec. 21 when he drove off the side of Highway 200 near mile marker 18, where Victoria E. Richardson, 61, was helping a stranded motorist in the snow
A witness in one of the sidelined cars said Drew swerved off the side of the road and hit Richardson. Court documents said Richardson was sent more than 100 feet from the initial impact. She died on the scene.
Drew then hit the stranded car, with a woman inside and a man underneath attaching a tow rope. Both sustained serious injuries, according to court documents. Another motorist on the scene received minor injuries.
Court documents state that Montana Highway Patrol Trooper Wes Whitlatch “observed [Drew] had a pale and dazed expression on his face, had features that appeared sunken, and had poor oral hygiene all consistent with methamphetamine use.”
In court, Drew admitted to using meth while driving the vehicle. Missoula District Court Judge Dusty Deschamps said a jury would likely convict Drew if he pleaded not guilty. Deschamps will sentence Drew on Sept. 25.
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