Homicide charge filed in accident death

The driver of a vehicle that wrecked his truck and killed a Columbia Falls man now faces several charges, including a charge of vehicle homicide under the influence.

Curtis Thomas, 28, of Kalispell was driving his pickup truck southbound Aug. 27 to Whitefish when he allegedly swerved to miss a deer in the road.

Thomas swerved the truck toward the west ditch, overcorrected, slid broadside across the road and ended up in the east ditch where the pickup truck rolled one and a half times, killing Bo Motichka, 30, of Columbia Falls, a passenger in the truck, according to highway patrolman Len Barkus.

Thomas had minor injuries and another passenger in the vehicle, Ordeen Engbretson, 35, of Whitefish, also survived.

Thomas was also charged with negligent vehicular assault as well as traffic violations of open container and not wearing his seatbelt.

Motichka was also not wearing his seatbelt and was partially ejected from the vehicle.

The three men were apparently coming home to Whitefish from Eureka about 4:10 a.m.

Thomas' arraignment in district court was scheduled for today (Thursday).