Driver, 73, charged with felony

A 73-year-old woman has been charged with a felony in Flathead County District Court after allegedly causing two automobile crashes in three days.

Janet Vornbrock is being held in the county jail on a $25,000 bond. She was arrested on suspicion of criminal endangerment and booked into the Flathead County Detention Center Friday.

Vornbrock, who provided an Alberta driver’s license but has an address in Bigfork, allegedly crossed the centerline on U.S. 2 east of West Glacier and sideswiped a Saturn coupe on Friday afternoon.

According to court documents, Vornbrock was unable to tell responding Montana Highway Patrol personnel what had happened.

Trooper Steven Herman determined during a crash investigation that the driver of the Saturn had attempted to avoid the collision by moving as far right as possible, but still was struck by Vornbrock. The man driving the Saturn was transported to a hospital for treatment.

Two days prior to that collision, Vornbrock allegedly caused another two-vehicle crash, according to court documents. She again was unable to tell troopers what caused the collision.

“The defendant is on numerous medications,” Deputy County Attorney Lori Adams submitted in an affidavit filed Monday. “All of [Vornbrock’s] neighbors have tried to stop her from driving without success.”

Vornbrock bought the Toyota vehicle involved in the Sept. 17 crash immediately after the Sept. 15 collision, according to court documents.

She made an initial appearance in District Court on Tuesday. Defense attorney Glen Neier has been appointed to represent her.

Felony criminal endangerment carries a maximum penalty of 10 years in prison and a $50,000 fine.

An arraignment is scheduled for Oct. 7.