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Woman charged in deadly New Year's Day wreck near Bigfork
Jun. 25—Prosecutors last week charged the surviving motorist of a deadly and allegedly alcohol-fueled New Year's Day wreck near Bigfork with vehicular homicide while under the influence.
Kala R. Knaus, 31, is expected to appear before Judge Dan Wilson in Flathead County District Court on July 10 for her arraignment on the felony charge. Booked into the county jail on June 19, Knaus remains behind bars with bail set at $250,000.
Authorities descended upon the site of the wreck, near the intersection of Montana 35 and Holt Drive, about 1:25 a.m., Jan. 1, according to court documents. They found a dead woman behind the wheel of a heavily damaged red Kia Rio, which was left on its driver's side roughly 10 feet west of the highway.
Knaus, who was behind the wheel of a Subaru Forester, was conscious and allegedly belligerent. A toxicology sample taken from Knaus at a hospital later showed her blood alcohol content at 0.188 or more than twice the legal limit, court documents said. She also allegedly tested positive for the cough suppressant dextromethorphan, an antidepressant and an antihistamine sleep aid.
Investigators later determined that Knaus' Subaru was heading northbound on Montana 35 when she allegedly crossed the center line and headed into the southbound lane where it struck the Kia. The crash sent the Subaru spinning counterclockwise and later off the road, court documents said. The Kia continued south after the collision before running of the west side of the road and rolling.
The Kia's driver died of blunt force trauma from the wreck, court documents said.
If convicted, Knaus faces up to 30 years in Montana State Prison and a $50,000 fine.
News Editor Derrick Perkins can be reached at 758-4430 or dperkins@
