Plea deal reached in Libby case
Special to the Inter Lake
LIBBY - The suspect who sparked a police chase that led to the death of a Libby teen in 2003 has entered into a plea agreement that includes dismissal of the most serious charge against him.
William Escudero, 22, pleaded guilty to felony criminal endangerment and a misdemeanor charge of unauthorized use of a motor vehicle in return for the dismissal of charges of negligent homicide, felony theft and driving with a suspended or revoked license.
The plea agreement includes a recommendation for a 10-year sentence with the Montana Department of Corrections with five years suspended.
Both criminal endangerment and felony theft carry a maximum sentence of 10 years in prison. The maximum sentence for negligent homicide is 20 years.
Sentencing is March 14.
In the plea agreement, Escudero reserved the right to withdraw his plea if the court does not impose the recommended sentence.
On the night of Aug. 5, 2003, Escudero was driving a car being pursued by a Lincoln County deputy when the deputy's car hit a car driven by 16-year-old Jacob Harris, who was killed in the crash.
The car Escudero was driving had been reported stolen.
Police spotted the vehicle on Mineral Avenue. Deputy Richard Larsen pursued the car from Mineral Avenue west on U.S. 2 at high speeds.
According to an investigation by the Montana Highway Patrol, the vehicle driven by Escudero went into a spin on the highway west of the intersection with Indianhead Road. Larsen saw the vehicle spinning and was slowing down as he went into the center turning lane to pass a car driven by Harris.
As Larsen began to go around Harris's car, it drifted in front of him. The front right portion of Larsen's car hit the rear passenger door of Harris' car, and both vehicles traveled across the eastbound lanes until Harris' car hit a curb and flipped onto its roof.
Harris was partially ejected through the car's sunroof and was pinned under the car. Two 17-year-old girls in the car with Harris suffered minor injuries. Larsen also suffered minor injuries.
Escudero fled the scene on foot; he was arrested later in Arizona.
The families of Harris and the two girls have filed civil suits against Lincoln County over the incident.