Sentences suspended for drunken car chase

A Kalispell man who led police on a drunken car chase in January 2014 will spend no additional jail time after his sentencing on Thursday.

James Sattler, 23, was sentenced on felony counts of criminal endangerment, DUI and fleeing from police. Flathead District Judge Robert Allison gave him a total sentence of 11 years, then suspended all except 24 hours on the DUI charge.

Sattler was also ordered to pay $20,889 in restitution.

Friends and family sat in the gallery during the sentencing hearing. Having received credit for about five days in jail following his arrest, Sattler was able to leave the courthouse after the proceeding. 

As they walked out, one woman in the group carried a large poster board covered with pictures of Sattler and those close to him.

On Jan. 17, 2014, Kalispell police responded to a suspected DUI case on Airport Road, according to court documents. The vehicle didn’t respond when an officer tried to pull over the vehicle, which Sattler was driving.

After a short chase, Sattler pulled into a driveway on South Meadows Drive. The officer stepped out of his cruiser and started giving commands. Sattler threw the car into reverse. He rammed two parked cars and the police cruiser before taking off.

 Sattler then struck and damaged a fence on Seventh Avenue West. His driving was fast and erratic, according to court records.

Police eventually rammed Sattler’s vehicle and brought it to a stop. Officers had to break the window and pull him out of the car.

Sattler originally was charged with assault on a peace officer and criminal mischief along with DUI. In October, he changed his plea from not guilty to an Alford plea and reached a plea agreement.

In an Alford plea, the defendant maintains a view of innocence but acknowledges the likelihood of being found guilty.

For the plea agreement, prosecutors dropped the charges of criminal mischief and assault on an officer. A charge of fleeing police was added.

At the sentencing hearing on Thursday, Allison said that his recommendation to probation official was a “zero tolerance” policy on alcohol for Sattler.

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