Sentencing deferred for crash involving child

The imposition of sentencing for a Polson man, who admitted to a drunk-driving crash involving a child, was deferred for three years. The term was in accordance to a plea agreement reached in Polson District Court Aug. 30 with Corey Robert Wetherelt, 23.

According to court records, on April 5, Montana Highway Patrol trooper Julian Gallegos responded to a report of a single vehicle crash on U. S. Highway 93 near mile marker 68. One motorist/witness indicated that the vehicle in front of him came around the corner traveling southbound, and it drifted off the side of the road, then appeared to over-correct before rolling and landing up against a tree.

Wetherelt told Trooper Gallegos that he had to brake suddenly because of the vehicle in front of him. The witness told the trooper that there was no vehicle in front of Wetherelt’s.

Trooper Gallegos noticed alcoholic beverages beside Wetherelt’s vehicle and could also smell the odor of alcohol coming from the driver. Although Wetherelt initially denied having consumed alcohol prior to the crash, he later admitted that he had consumed two “Jack and Cokes” earlier that day. Wetherelt’s sole passenger was a one-year-old child.

Judge Molly Owen praised Wetherelt for his conduct while the case was pending. She also advised him that this charge could be removed from his record if he can adhere to his release conditions during the three-year deferment.