Man pleads guilty to drunken crash

A driver has admitted driving drunk, running a red light and crashing into a pregnant woman’s vehicle earlier this year.

Michael Tyler Nelson, 27, pleaded guilty on Monday to misdemeanor driving under the influence of alcohol and felony criminal endangerment. He also entered an Alford plea to felony threats in official matters. An Alford plea does not explicitly admit culpability but acknowledges that a guilty verdict might result if the case went to trial.

The guilty plea is the result of the plea agreement in which it is recommended that Nelson receive 10-year suspended sentence to the Montana Department of Corrections for the felony cases and a six-moth jail sentence. All but one day of the jail time would be suspended and Nelson would receive credit for time served.

Nelson was found to have a blood alcohol concentration of .328 on March 15 after a crash in Kalispell on North Meridan Road. The legal limit is .08.

A woman driving a sports utility vehicle said that Nelson had run a red light with his pickup truck. The pregnant woman and Nelson had to be taken to the hospital for injuries. Both vehicles were substantially damaged, with the wheel of the pickup broken off.

At the hospital, Nelson allegedly became combative with law enforcement. He allegedly made comments that wearing a wedding ring could be dangerous for the officer’s family. He also made other physical threats, by allegedly saying to officers, “I hope to see you out on the streets.” Sentencing is set for Feb. 25.

Reporter Megan Strickland can be reached at 758-4459 or mstrickland@dailyinterlake.com.