Driver pleads guilty after crash

A pair of charges have been dropped against a Kalispell man after he pleaded guilty to a third charge.

Christopher Thiem, 21, originally was charged with felony counts of negligent vehicular assault and criminal endangerment as well as misdemeanor driving under the influence after a two-vehicle accident Dec. 17, 2011.

Thiem pleaded guilty to the criminal endangerment charge May 30 in Flathead District Court, with the remaining two charges dismissed.

According to a court document, Thiem lost control of his vehicle and crossed the center line of U.S. 93, striking another vehicle. He  claimed at the time that he had fallen asleep.

A passenger in Thiem’s vehicle was transported to Kalispell Regional Medical Center before being flown to Seattle for treatment of severe head injuries as well as hip reconstruction.

The court document alleges that analysis of Thiem’s blood, taken following the accident, showed tetrahydrocannabinol — the psychoactive compound in marijuana — in his system.

Thiem now faces up to 10 years in prison and a fine of up to $50,000 when he is sentenced on July 18.