Kalispell woman pleads guilty to negligent homicide, theft

A Kalispell woman has pleaded guilty to negligent homicide and entered a no contest plea to theft, both felonies, for her role in a fatal crash that claimed the life of a Polson woman in the fall of 2020.

Leasa Sierra Moore, 19, entered the pleas in Lake County District Court on April 7 before Judge John Larson of Missoula, who is serving as a substitute judge in the case.

Moore was driving south on Highway 93 through Pablo in an Oldsmobile Alero around 9:30 a.m. Sept. 30, 2020 at a high rate of speed when she ran a red light near Mission Valley Power and slammed into an Acura being driven by Darlene Wilder, 18, of Polson.

Wilder had been driving west on Clairmont Road when she entered the intersection. She was thrown from the vehicle upon impact, and she died four days later at St. Patrick Hospital in Missoula.

Upon arriving at the scene, authorities determined that the Oldsmobile had been reported stolen out of Kalispell.

A jaws-of-life crew was called in to help remove Moore from the Oldsmobile, which reportedly came to rest upside down in front of Mission Valley Power. Moore suffered serious, non-life threatening injuries in the crash.

Moore entered her pleas as part of a plea agreement that recommends a sentence of 15 years in prison with 10 years suspended for negligent homicide, and three years in prison for theft. The recommendation calls for the sentences to run consecutively, meaning Moore faces up to eight years in prison if Judge Larson agrees to the terms of the plea deal. The agreement also recommends Moore pay restitution in an amount yet to be determined.

Moore initially claimed that at the time of the crash she was suffering from a mental disease or disorder, or developmental disability, that led to her behavior. A mental evaluation did not support that defense.

The maximum penalty for negligent homicide is 20 years and/or a fine of $50,000. The maximum penalty for felony theft is three years and/or a fine of $1,500.

Judge Larson set a sentencing hearing for June 2.