Man pleads innocent after rollover crash

A 24-year-old Kalispell man pleaded not guilty Thursday in Flathead District Court to a felony count of criminal endangerment and a misdemeanor count of driving under the influence.

Brandon Hutson is accused of rolling his vehicle on South Main Street in the courthouse loop after racing another vehicle.

According to a court document, witnesses said Hutson and another motorist were racing, with Hutson traveling roughly 40 miles an hour when he pulled in front of another vehicle, lost control as he entered the courthouse curve, struck a concrete barrier and rolled his vehicle onto its roof.

When police arrived at the scene, they found three passengers were not seriously injured while a fourth passenger was on the ground near the vehicle, “crying and in obvious pain” according to the court document.

An officer who responded to the scene reported Hutson had been drinking and admitted having had three to four beers before the accident. The officer reported Hutson was unsteady on his feet and had slurred speech, and subsequently failed a field sobriety test before refusing a breath alcohol test.

If convicted, Hutson faces between 24 hours and 10 and a half years in jail and a fine of between $300 and $51,000.

His next hearing is scheduled for Sept. 19.