Kalispell man contests vehicular assault charge

A 22-year-old Kalispell man pleaded not guilty Thursday in Flathead District Court to felony negligent vehicular assault and two other charges.

According to a court document, Christopher Thiem was at the wheel on U.S. 93 when he lost control of his vehicle, crossed the center line and struck another vehicle.

Thiem allegedly told a Montana Highway Patrol trooper that he had fallen asleep at the wheel and caused the crash.

A passenger in Thiem’s vehicle, unconscious when the trooper arrived, was transported to Kalispell Regional Medical Center. From there she was eventually flown to Seattle for hip reconstruction and treatment of severe head injuries.

While at the hospital, the trooper read Thiem an implied consent test request for blood despite the fact that Thiem was unconscious at the time.

Due to Montana’s implied consent law, the trooper was not required to read the consent request to Thiem, but Thiem was required to provide blood.

The blood that was drawn was sent to the Montana Crime Lab, where it reportedly tested positive for tetrahydrocannabinol, the active compound in marijuana.

Thiem was charged with felony criminal endangerment and misdemeanor driving under the influence of alcohol and/or drugs along with the assault charge.

If convicted of all three charges, Thiem faces between 24 hours and 20 and a half years in prison and a fine of between $300 and $101,000.

His next hearing is scheduled April 10, 2013.

Reporter Jesse Davis may be reached at 758-4441 or by email at jdavis@dailyinterlake.com.