KALISPELL — Mason Drake, accused of killing a Kalispell mother and daughter in a car crash in July, appeared in court on Friday.
According to court documents, Drake, 23 years old, is charged with two counts of vehicular homicide while under the influence of alcohol.
The Montana Highway Patrol reports Drake was traveling north on Montana Highway 35 when he crossed over into the southbound lane and hit a vehicle head on, killing Alice and Katie Barten.
Court documents state that emergency personnel reported an overwhelming odor of an alcoholic beverage emanated from Drake, who was taken to Kalispell Regional Medical Center. The MHP obtained a blood sample at the hospital which was then sent to the Montana State Crime Lab in Missoula for analysis. Testing at the crime lab indicated that Drake’s blood alcohol content was .136, higher than the .08 threshold for driving legally in Montana.
Drake pleaded not guilty to both counts on Friday.
He is being held on $500,000 in the Flathead County jail and Drake's attorney requested the judge reduce his "excessively" high bond.
Drake, who is from Lanesboro, Minnesota, is scheduled to appear in court early next year.
If he's found guilty on both charges, Drake could face up to 60 years in prison as well as $100,000 fine.
