Columbia Falls man charged in teen's death

A Columbia Falls man has been charged with vehicular homicide while under the influence of alcohol and criminal endangerment after he allegedly caused an accident that killed a Eureka teen.

Tyrone Stallcup, 27, has been charged in Flathead County District Court with both felony charges after a two-vehicle accident that happened just before 1 a.m. on Feb. 12 near Conn Road.

Lakeisha Thibault, 19, of Eureka died at the scene.

According to court documents, Thibault had been driving southbound in a passenger car when Stallcup, who was driving a pickup, allegedly attempted to pass her and lost control. The pickup veered into the passenger car causing both to roll into the ditch.

Montana Highway Patrol officers responded to the scene and found Thibault's car perpendicular to the road in a ditch facing east. The pickup truck had come to a stop on its wheels facing north.

Both drivers were not wearing seat belts and were ejected from the vehicles. Thibault was found pinned under her vehicle.

According to witnesses at the scene, Stallcup had been drinking at a local bar beginning at 7:30 p.m. until just before the accident. Officers later spoke with Stallcup, who was taken to Kalispell Regional Medical Center. Stallcup smelled of alcohol, had slurred speech and admitted he had been drinking, court documents state.

If convicted of both charges, Stallcup faces up to 40 years in prison and a $100,000 fine.