Man reaches deal on stolen-car joyride

A Spokane man could have three charges dropped as part of a plea deal in connection with a drunken ride in a stolen car.

Jeremiah David McNew, 35, pleaded no contest in Flathead County District Court Thursday to felony criminal endangerment.

As part of the deal, felony counts of theft and bail jumping were dropped, as well as a misdemeanor DUI charge.

Authorities met McNew on Oct. 28, 2013, near Kalispell. Witnesses told a Montana Highway Patrol trooper that they saw a car go up and over the roundabout on the U.S. 93 bypass.

The car moved through a field and into the wrong lane on Airport Road, according to witnesses. It swerved into the ditch and back onto the road once more, nearly T-boning an oncoming car.

McNew was identified as the driver. He showed signs of intoxication during field tests but refused a breath test, according to court documents.

Later, authorities learned that the car had been reported stolen in Washington the day before the arrest.

McNew was charged in Flathead County with theft, criminal endangerment and misdemeanor DUI. He had two prior DUI convictions in Washington, according to court records.

After initial court appearances, McNew was released in December 2013 with a monitoring device.

In May 2015, he failed to appear at a court hearing and picked up an additional felony charge for bail jumping.

McNew was in a Washington jail at the time of that May hearing, according to Flathead County prosecuting attorney Alison Howard.

According to the plea deal, McNew will have the three charges dropped and face sentencing for felony criminal endangerment. A condition of the deal is that McNew remain in jail until that hearing.

The recommended sentence in the plea agreement is a 10-year suspended sentence with the Montana Department of Corrections.

Sentencing is scheduled for Sept. 24.

Reporter Matt Hudson may be reached at 758-4459 or by email at mhudson@dailyinterlake.com.