Trial begins today in fatal crash case

The trial for a Kalispell woman accused of killing a 24-year-old Bigfork man in a drunk-driving accident is scheduled to begin today.

Jury selection starts at 9 a.m.

Steffanie Ann Schauf, 27, pleaded not guilty in May 2007 to amended charges of vehicular homicide while under the influence of alcohol, negligent vehicular assault, and criminal endangerment, all felonies. She is free on bail.

Schauf originally had been charged with one count of vehicular homicide while under the influence of alcohol and two counts of negligent vehicular assault.

According to the Montana Highway Patrol, Schauf was driving southbound on U.S. 93 in her Mazda Miata at about 1:30 a.m. on July 1, 2006. As she neared the Happy Valley area, her car plowed into the back of a pickup truck driven by Christopher Gray, 28, of Bigfork.

The impact sent the truck rolling down an embankment, ejecting passenger Brett Adams, 24, of Kalispell. Adams was taken to Kalispell Regional Medical Center, where he later died from severe brain injuries.

Gray was taken in serious condition to Kalispell Regional Medical Center with broken bones and a punctured lung. A second passenger, who sat between Adams and Gray in the truck, was treated for minor injuries and released.

Schauf's Miata also went into the ditch, where it caught fire. Two passing motorists pulled her from the vehicle.

Authorities with an investigative subpoena drew blood from Schauf after she refused to give a breathalyzer test at the scene, eventually discovering that her blood-alcohol level was .34 - more than four times the legal limit of .08.

Schauf is represented by Kalispell attorney George Best. The prosecution is represented by County Attorney Ed Corrigan and Deputy County Attorney Lori Adams.

If convicted on all counts, Schauf faces up to 50 years in prison and a $110,000 fine.

Reporter Nicholas Ledden can be reached at 758-4441 or by e-mail at nledden@dailyinterlake.com