Woman get five years for vehicular homicide

POLSON — A Polson woman was given a five-year prison sentence for a vehicular homicide incident in 2008 that resulted in the death of Shari Ann Tiger. After signing a plea agreement and admitting to the crime on June 15, 35-year-old Jana Baker was sentenced last Wednesday morning in Lake County District Court.

According to court documents, on Dec. 17, 2008, Baker registered a BAC of .08 after she had crossed the center line of U.S. Highway 93 near mile marker 21 and struck an oncoming vehicle. In that vehicle was Tiger, who was declared dead at the scene of the accident.

A Montana Highway Patrol Officer interviewed Baker at St. Patrick’s Hospital after the accident, and according to the court affidavit, she admitted to drinking alcohol and taking prescription medications prior to the crash. When the officer asked if she thought she was impaired, Baker replied that she “probably was.”

The crime of vehicular homicide under the influence carries a maximum penalty of 30 years in the state prison and $50,000 in fines. Baker was admitted to the department of corrections for 10 years with five suspended.