(GREAT FALLS) Ethan A. Williams, 18 years old, has been charged with six felonies and several misdemeanors for two vehicle-related incidents in Great Falls over the past two weeks.
The first incident happened on the afternoon of Friday, September 7, when Williams allegedly was the driver of a red Honda Accord that went speeding through a residential neighborhood and crashed into several parked vehicles. Williams ran away from the scene; his passenger sustained serious injuries and was taken by ambulance to Benefis Health System.
It happened the 1200 block of 4th Avenue South, which caused two nearby schools to briefly implement lock-down procedures, according to court documents.
Williams was apprehended nearby a few minutes later; he sustained a skull fracture in the crash and was taken to Benefis for treatment.
For the crash incident, Williams is charged with four felony counts of criminal endangerment and the following misdemeanors: obstructing a peace officer; two stop sign violations; and speeding in a school zone. Prosecutors requested that bond in this case be set at $75,000.
The second incident happened on Saturday, September 15, when a police officer saw a Chevy Silverado pickup truck on 14th Street South; the vehicle reportedly had been stolen, and officers had been looking for it. The police officer saw a male driver and a passenger in the truck, who both ducked down in their seats when they realized the officer was looking at them.
The officer tried to initiate a traffic stop, at which point the driver – later identified as Isac Jose Stafford – sped away at more more than 80 miles per hour. The officer soon found the truck at the 2611 Upper River Road in the Pleasant Park Mobile Home Court.
Court documents state the truck was unoccupied, but a witness told officers she saw two young men run from the area of the truck into a nearby residence. A male outside the residence told officers the two men ran into the trailer.
Police found a loaded gun on the floorboard of the truck; believing the two men may be armed, more police officers were called to the scene, and some had their weapons drawn as officers gave the suspects commands over a PA system. After nearly an hour, Williams and Stafford surrendered to officers. The officer indicated Stafford was the man he saw driving the truck.
While investigating, the officer learned Stafford had three theft convictions and that a separate theft had occurred on the same block as the stolen truck.
While searching the residence, officers found a stolen backpack from the previous theft. The total value of the second theft was greater than $1,500 as it also involved the theft of a new generator and designer sunglasses.
For the incident involving the theft of a pickup truck, Williams is charged with two felony counts of theft.
Prosecutors requested that bond for Williams in this case be set at $75,000.
There is no word yet on whether charges have been filed against Stafford, but we have confirmed that he has been booked into the Cascade County Detention Center; we will update you as we get more information.
- Speeding car crashes in residential area of Great Falls
- Two people arrested after fleeing from police
