Fatal accident trial planned for next month

A jury trial is still scheduled for December 5th stemming from this summer’s fatal accident out the road.

Twenty-five year old Ryan West is being charged with second degree murder in connection with the death of 19-year old Gabriel Carte.

West and Carte were both in a truck that went into a ditch and rolled several times at Mile 35 on Glacier Highway last June. West sustained minor injuries. Carte died when he was ejected from the vehicle. Police believe alcohol and speed were factors in the crash.

Defense attorney David Seid signalled that delay would still be possible if he doesn’t get all the evidence that he needs, including a report and results from toxicology testing. Another pre-trial hearing is in two weeks. Any change from the scheduled trial date will likely be made at that time. Two weeks has been set aside for a jury to hear the case.

Prosecutors also want to revoke West’s probation stemming from an earlier case in which he injured a woman by dragging her with his truck. That will be considered pending the outcome of the murder trial.

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