Woman gets jail time in trooper's death

The Daily Inter Lake

and The Associated Press

The driver responsible for the Oct. 9 traffic death of Montana Highway Patrol trooper David Graham has been sentenced to 30 days in jail.

JenniRae Bloom, 22, pleaded no contest earlier this month to careless driving resulting in a death.

On Thursday, Justice of the Peace David Ortley sentenced Bloom to six months in jail with all but 30 days suspended. He ordered her to report to jail by Jan. 2.

He also fined her $5,035, but said she could instead pay the money to a fund set up for Graham's family.

Bloom also was ordered to work with the Montana Highway Patrol in educating young drivers about the consequences of careless driving.

The crash occurred the morning of Oct. 9 on U.S. 2 between Reserve Drive and Rose Crossing approximately two miles northeast of Kalispell.

Bloom was driving a full-sized Dodge pickup truck northbound on U.S. 2 when she crossed over the center turn lane and into oncoming traffic.

As Bloom reached down for something on the floor, her truck drifted four feet into the southbound lane and traveled for some distance there before the collision, according to the Highway Patrol.

Another vehicle, traveling southbound in front of Graham's unmarked Crown Victoria and blocking his view of the road ahead, was able to swerve out of the truck's way.

When Graham was finally able to see the truck, it already was right on top of him and the two vehicles crashed nearly head-on.

After the collision, the pickup went airborne and landed on its passenger side near the shoulder of the road.

Graham, 36, who was on duty at the time, was pronounced dead at the scene. Bloom suffered a broken leg and some minor injuries.

The decision to charge Bloom with careless driving resulting in a death was reached after discussions with Graham's widow and the Highway Patrol, according to Flathead County Attorney Ed Corrigan.

Graham left behind his wife, Genny, and three children.

Almost 1,000 people, including hundreds of law officers from across the West, attended Graham's Oct. 13 funeral in Kalispell.