Libby man charged with vehicular homicide

A 46-year-old Libby man has been charged for his alleged role in a fatal crash on Yaak River Road in August 2015.

Johnny Glen Anthony Jr. was arrested Friday and charged with vehicular homicide while under the influence or the alternative charge of negligent homicide.

Anthony was released on $25,000 bond the same day.

The charges stem from an incident on Aug. 8, 2015, in which Anthony was allegedly driving a 2004 Chevrolet Silverado pickup truck that went off Yaak River Road and crashed into a ditch. In the crash, 67-year-old Libby resident Jon Reynolds was killed.

Montana Highway Patrol Trooper Anthony Jensen determined Anthony had been drinking prior to the crash and the vehicle had been traveling at high speed.

Blood tests conducted indicated Anthony’s blood alcohol level was .137 when tested at the hospital after the crash. Montana’s legal limit is .08.

Anthony told the Highway Patrol he had been drinking at the Dirty Shame.

“Mr. Anthony stated he remembered having a drink or two, but said he did not believe he would have consumed much alcohol because he had to work at the food trailer again that evening once he got back to Libby,” Jensen said in his report.

Evaluation of the airbag control module on the truck revealed the truck was going 104 miles per hour five seconds prior to the crash.

“The data showed the brake was not pressed at all for at least eight seconds prior to the crash,” the report said.

The alternative charges mean Anthony can be convicted on either charge (but not both) or be acquitted.

He is next scheduled to appear in court on March 2.

The penalty for vehicular homicide while under the influence is up to 30 years in prison and a fine of up to $50,000. The punishment for negligent homicide is up to 20 years in prison and a fine of up to $50,000.