Driver pleads guilty in crash that killed girl

The Daily Inter Lake

The driver of a truck that struck and killed a West Valley girl pleaded guilty Wednesday to criminal endangerment.

Andrew Lane Johnson, 51, faces as many as 10 years in prison on the felony charge. He is scheduled to be sentenced Nov. 3.

His loaded dump truck rolled through a stop sign at the intersection of West Reserve Drive and Stillwater Road on June 23, striking a vehicle driven by Allison Marie Fifield, 16. She died at the scene.

Johnson, represented by Whitefish attorney Jack Quatman, previously pleaded not guilty.

He changed his plea Wednesday before District Judge Kitty Curtis.

A Highway Patrol investigation into the crash revealed that Johnson had slowed but did not stop at the intersection.

His brakes also were found to be faulty, though that was not a factor in the criminal charge.

A presentence investigation will be prepared, probing his history and the effect of the crime.

Criminal endangerment is described by Montana law as engaging in conduct that creates a substantial risk of death or serious bodily injury.

Johnson is being prosecuted by Flathead County Attorney Ed Corrigan.