Missoula man pleads guilty to negligent homicide in crash near Polson

POLSON - After signing a plea agreement in Lake County District Court on Wednesday, 25-year-old Shain Steffens should face five years in jail with the other 15 years suspended for two counts of negligent homicide stemming from an April 10, 2010 crash that resulted in the death of Joshua Clairmont, 23, and Drew Austin, 21.

Steffens crashed his 2002 Ford Escape sport utility vehicle into the Flathead River near Polson three miles east of Buffalo Bridge and two miles west of Kerr Dam at approximately 3 a.m. on April 10 of last year, resulting in the drowning of passengers Clairmont and Austin.

Steffens, who is from Missoula, admitted to being under the influence of marijuana on alcohol on the morning of the accident.

According to the agreement, the Lake County Attorney's office will recommend a sentence of 10 years with five years suspended for the first count of negligent homicide and all 10 years for the second count be suspended. The maximum possible punishment for negligent homicide is 20 years in state prison and a $50,000 fine.

Sentencing for Steffens will take place in District Court on Nov. 9.