driver charged with vehicular homicide
Missoula Cyclist Killed in Hit-and-Run
By Matthew Frank, 4-20-07
Fifty-year-old Stacie Ann DeWolf of Missoula was riding her bicycle Thursday night on Toole Avenue in Missoula when she was struck by a vehicle and killed.
The driver of the vehicle, Anthony Dailey, 23, was charged Friday with vehicular homicide while under the influence of alcohol, driving without a valid driver’s license, and failure to immediately stop at an accident.
Witnesses allege that Dailey appeared to intentionally swerve to hit DeWolf. Dailey reportedly fled the scene before being located by police near his residence on Cooper Street. There, a breath test showed his blood-alcohol level to be twice the legal limit.
An officer at the scene said it was teamwork between the police and the community that led police to Dailey. She said witnesses offered information about the vehicle, while others reportedly told police “about a guy who was really upset about some accident.” Detective Travis Welsh said the community’s response was “fantastic.”
DeWolf worked for the Forest Service in Missoula.
If convicted, Dailey faces up to 30 years in prison and up to a $50,000 fine, the maximum penalty for vehicular homicide while under the influence. He is being held in the Missoula County Jail and his bond has been set at $100,000.
According to the jail roster, Dailey has previously been convicted of driving under the influence of alcohol.
After the incident, which occurred at about 8:45 Thursday night, two sections of Toole Avenue were taped off; an area where the mangled bicycle lay near the train tracks that bisect Toole Avenue, and the intersection of Toole Avenue and Waverly Street a block away, where the driver knocked to the ground a street sign on the corner before fleeing.
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Comments
See today's Missoulian article for more details on this accident, including the victim's name: http://missoulian.com/articles/2007/04/21/news/local/news05.txt
I'm now living in Denver and would very much like to know when and where there will be a celebration of her life.
Please share widely.
Cards can be sent to Stacie's parents at the following addresses:
Betty DeWolf Bill DeWolf
2129 Choteau 2885 Canyon Ferry Road
Helena, MT 59602 Helena, MT 59602
The Celebration of Stacie's life will be Friday the 27th at 10:00 a.m. at the St. Helena Cathedral in Helena. Reception to follow at the Brondel Center at the Cathedral.
Here is the information regarding a celebration of Stacie's life. Please share widely.
Cards can be sent to Stacie's parents at the following addresses:
Betty DeWolf
2129 Choteau
Helena, MT 59602
Bill DeWolf
2885 Canyon Ferry Road
Helena, MT 59602
The Celebration of Stacie’s life is Friday the 27th at 10:00a.m. at the St. Helena Cathedral in Helena. Reception to follow at the Brondel Center at the Cathedral.
Thank you.