Driver sentenced for fatal accident

A Kalispell woman has been given a 10-year suspended sentence after her passenger died in a 2012 vehicle crash.

Mindy Brist, 34, originally was charged with felony negligent homicide in the death of Timothy Attard, but she eventually pleaded guilty by way of Alford to felony criminal endangerment. By entering an Alford plea, Brist was able to take advantage of conviction on the reduced charge while maintaining her innocence.

Brist and Attard had been out drinking and gambling the night of Feb. 17, 2012, with Brist drinking between 12 and 15 drinks and taking a non-prescribed Lortab between 6:30 p.m. and the 1 a.m. crash, according to a court document.

An investigation revealed Brist had been driving 94 miles per hour in a 45 zone on U.S. 93 just south of Somers when she entered a curve and lost control of the sport utility vehicle.

Neither she nor Attard were wearing their seat belts, and Attard’s head and part of his body were pinned to the ground by the vehicle.

In addition to handing down the suspended sentence, District Judge Ted Lympus indicated the court will have a zero-tolerance policy for any sentence violations involving the use of any alcohol or drugs.

Brist also was ordered to pay a $500 fine and a $400 public defender fee.