County Attorney files charges against Pavlik

THOMPSON FALLS – Sanders County Attorney Robert L. Zimmerman filed charges last Tuesday against Lance Pavlik on four felony counts, two of which involve alcohol.

The charges and affidavit read that Pavlik stands charged and accused of vehicular homicide while under the influence (counts I and II) and criminal endangerment (counts III and IV). The vehicular homicide charges stem from the deaths of Christina Rae Jackson (count I) and Jeremiah Abel Bennett (count II). The criminal endangerment charges stem from the injuries sustained by young children Mya Bennett, 4, and Abel Bennett, 2, of Thompson Falls due to the collision.

Pavlik, along with the Bennetts and Jackson, were involved in a two-vehicle head-on collision on Sept. 8, 2012 on Prospect Creek Rd.

According to the affidavit, on the night of Sept. 8th, Pavlik was traveling south on Prospect Creek in his 2009 Toyota Tacoma pickup, crossed the centerline and struck a 1994 Saturn passenger vehicle traveling north by Jeremiah Bennett. Christina Jackson was in the front passenger seat, while Bennett’s two young children were secured in the back seat. The force of the impact of the collision caused the immediate death of Christina Jackson, while Jeremiah Bennett was pronounced dead upon arrival at Clark Fork Valley Hospital, following the wreck. Abel Bennett suffered two broken legs, while Mya Bennett suffered one broken leg. Pavlik, Jeremiah Bennett, and the Bennett children were transported to CFVH, where blood samples were taken for investigative purposes.

Pavlik’s blood alcohol concentration levels have been revealed to be .245. Under Montana law, if the blood alcohol concentration of one driving a vehicle is .08 or greater, there is a rebuttable inference that the person is under the influence of alcohol. Blood samples were also taken from the bodies of Christina Jackson and Jeremiah Bennett following the accident, and lab analysis reveals neither had alcohol or dangerous drugs in their blood.

Several witnesses that were interviewed for the investigation leading up to the charges alleged they saw Pavlik consume alcoholic beverages on the afternoon and evening of Sept. 8th, hours before the collision occurred.

Pavlik’s initial appearance date has yet to be determined.