Driver who hit Olney girl charged with criminal endangerment

The driver of a vehicle who ran over a little girl getting off a school last year has been charged with criminal endangerment.

According to Flathead County Attorney Travis Ahner, Patricia Ann Berliner was charged with the felony offense Tuesday, April 7, in Flathead County District Court.

She faces a maximum sentence of 10 years in the Montana State Prison.

Six-year-old Jordana Hubble, a student at Olney-Bissell School, was hit by a car Nov. 12, 2019, allegedly driven by Berliner after she got off a bus on U.S. 93 north of Whitefish. Hubble was trying to cross the highway when she was struck by the vehicle that failed to stop, even though bus lights and stop signs were fully activated.

According to witness statements in a charging document, Berliner allegedly said she didn’t think she had to stop because the bus was in the other lane.

Court documents indicate Hubble was thrown 60 feet after impact before landing in a ditch.

Hubble suffered a traumatic brain injury, but fortunately she is conscious and performing rehabilitation exercises at Nexus Children’s Hospital in Houston.

Her mother, Veronica “Vo” Hubble posted a video April 2 on Facebook of Jordana sitting up in her bed watching television and looking at her mom.

In the post her mother said Jordana “is making strides every day.”

Hubble previously posted a video of Jordana performing her exercises.

Previously, Montana Highway Patrol Trooper Jon Raymond said there was no reason the driver couldn’t have stopped in time to avoid the tragic incident.

“It had been snowing that day and there was some slush on the road, but there were no other crashes in the vicinity and I don’t believe the roads were too slick for the driver to stop in time,” Raymond said. “The driver failed to stop for the blinking lights and the safety arm on the bus. She had ample opportunity to stop and for whatever reason, chose not to stop.”

According to witnesses at the scene, the woman was driving between 25 and 40 miles per hour when she hit the girl.

Reporter Scott Shindledecker may be reached at 758-4441 or sshindledecker@dailyinterlake.com.s