Bond increased to $500,000 for suspect in vehicular homicide

A Flathead County Justice Court Judge on Monday set a $500,000 bond for Jared Parsons of Kalispell, who is being held at the Flathead County Detention Center on a felony charge of vehicular homicide while under the influence, in connection with the death of a 15-year-old Evergreen girl.

Bond initially was set at $200,000, but Flathead County Justice of the Peace Eric Hummel increased the amount after determining Parsons was both a flight risk and a potential safety hazard to the community during his initial appearance in Flathead County Justice Court.

According to the Flathead County Sheriff’s Office, Parsons, 31, was driving his Dodge Ram vehicle along Spring Creek Drive in Evergreen on Friday around 2 a.m. when he veered off the road and then crashed into a home. The impact killed Erin Howk, a Columbia Falls High School freshman, while she was asleep in her bed. Authorities say Howk was dead upon arrival.

At the time, Parsons was driving with a suspended license and allegedly attempted to leave the scene of an accident, according to authorities. The case is still under investigation by the Montana Highway Patrol.

Should Parsons be found guilty of vehicular homicide while under the influence, he could face up to 30 years in Montana state prison, a fine of up to $50,000 and may be ordered to pay restitution without deferral.

He is scheduled to appear before Flathead District Court Judge Amy Eddy at 9 a.m. May 23 for an arraignment hearing.

In an unrelated offense, Parsons was also charged with a misdemeanor citation for failure to carry proof of insurance in October 2018. Parsons was entitled to enter a plea for the charge on Monday, to which he answered not guilty.