Kalispell man suspect in pedestrian hit-and-run

Bozeman police say that a Kalispell motorist tried to discreetly fix a windshield after he hit a pedestrian and fled the scene.

Jerry Edward Dickson, 31, faces two felony charges in Gallatin County for leaving the scene of a serious accident and tampering with evidence.

He allegedly was driving a Honda CR-V early Saturday morning and hit a 72-year-old man who was crossing the street in Bozeman.

A passer-by found the elderly man, who was taken to the hospital with a traumatic brain injury, broken ribs and multiple neck and face fractures, according to probable cause documents. The man came to rest 110 feet from the point of impact.

Searching video footage from nearby businesses, police were able to narrow down the Honda as a suspect vehicle.

“One of the places we approached was the Honda dealership, and they gave us information that it was a female who was calling to report some damage to the vehicle and wanted to get it fixed,” said Andy Knight, Bozeman police detective captain.

Police learned that the woman was the owner of the vehicle and Dickson had borrowed it. Dickson reportedly told the woman that he had hit a trash bin. The woman told police that the windshield had just been replaced.

An employee with the auto glass company told police that he was approached by a man outside the business. The man, allegedly Dickson, asked to have the windshield replaced at a private home rather than in the shop. The employee identified the man as Dickson.

“We got all the details and applied for a search warrant for the house,” Knight said.

Before police could serve the warrant, the woman who owned the car found out about the hit-and-run. She called authorities with concern that her Honda was involved.

Officers moved to arrest Dickson on Tuesday. He was taken into custody after a foot chase.

The elderly man was treated in Bozeman and then flown to Billings with life-threatening injuries.

Police believe that Dickson had been in Bozeman for a few weeks but he had previously lived in Kalispell.

Dickson had an initial appearance in Gallatin County Justice Court on Wednesday. His bail was set at $350,000, which includes the two felonies and a prior probation violation.

His next court appearance is set for Aug. 21.

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