Driver faces felony after collision

A Kalispell man alleged to have injured several people in a crash while driving drunk has pleaded not guilty to felony negligent vehicular assault.

A Flathead District Court document alleges Darren Yarde crashed his sport utility vehicle July 5 into another SUV on Montana 35. 

The second vehicle was carrying a woman and her two children, ages 3 and 5, who were relatively unhurt, as well as a man who suffered multiple injuries including a broken leg.

A Montana Highway Patrol trooper reported two witnesses both said the driver of the first vehicle appeared drunk and fled when told police had been called.

The vehicle was allegedly identified as belonging to Yarde, and while the trooper headed to Yarde’s home to locate him, one of the witnesses called dispatch to report the driver had returned. 

When the trooper went back to check, he reportedly found and identified the driver as Yarde.

During one field sobriety test, Yarde’s responses allegedly displayed every possible sign of impairment.

The trooper also reported Yarde had cuts on his hands and arms consistent with cuts caused by vehicle glass broken in an accident. 

While Yarde was at the hospital being treated later, the trooper also reported hearing a doctor say Yarde had an abdominal injury consistent with colliding with a steering wheel during a crash.

The court document says Yarde was on probation at the time, and after he initially refused to submit to a breath alcohol test, he eventually consented after being ordered to comply by an on-call probation officer. He reportedly failed that test.

Yarde is currently incarcerated in the Flathead County Detention Center, where his bond is set at $50,000.

If convicted, he faces up to 10 years in prison and a fine of up to $10,000, as well as restitution to victims.

His next hearing is set for Dec. 4.

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