Parade driver later hits home

Steve Peterson of Kila is in jail after being in the limelight twice on Wednesday.

According to Montana Highway Patrol Trooper David Mills, Peterson, 64, had been in the Fourth of July parade in Kalispell driving his 2005 Shelby Cobra kit car.

Later on Wednesday he apparently drove the car into an Evergreen home.

Mills said Peterson apparently was drunk when he climbed back into his car shortly after 3 p.m. and backed out of a driveway, accelerating rapidly and losing control. The car was totaled when it struck the home, although it did only minimal damage to the structure.

“It was a very nice car,” Mills said. “One guy said he thought it was worth $30,000 if he was guessing right.”

Peterson, who was wearing a seat belt when he crashed, was arrested and preliminarily charged with driving under the influence. No one was injured.