Man pleads not guilty to vehicular homicide

A Kalispell man who is facing a felony charge of negligent vehicular homicide while under the influence after running his car through a Kalispell home and killing a 15-year-old girl pleaded not guilty in Flathead County District Court Thursday morning during an arraignment hearing.

If he is convicted, Jared Parsons, 31, could face up to 30 years in state prison and up to $50,000 in fines and will not be granted a deferral. His bond is currently set at $500,000.

Parsons was driving in Evergreen on April 26 when his Dodge Ram vehicle veered off the road and crashed into a home off Spring Creek Drive around 2 a.m., according to the Flathead County Sheriff’s Office.

The collision killed teenager Erin Howk while she slept in her in her bed. The Columbia Falls High School freshman was found dead upon arrival.

According to authorities, Parsons was driving with a suspended license at the time.