Pavlik accepts plea agreement of 10 years

THOMPSON FALLS – Lance Pavlik was sentenced to ten years with the Montana Department of Corrections on Tues., March 12 for killing Jeremiah Bennett and Christina Jackson in a head-on collision while driving under the influence of alcohol.
Judge C.B. McNeil sentenced Pavlik to 15 years on both counts of vehicular homicide, with 10 years suspended on each count. The sentence, which runs consecutively added up to the 10-year sentence Pavlik accepted in his plea agreement.
According to court documents, other conditions of the plea agreement included Pavlik paying the amount of over $4,800 to Able and Judy Bennett as well as an amount of almost $2,500 to Sherry Jackson and Pavlik agreed to participate “in community service by annually giving a presentation to Sanders county high school kids (at one high school a year) about the dangers of drinking and driving for a period of 10 years beginning upon his release from the Department of Correction.”
The Sanders County Courthouse was filled to capacity as the sentencing took place, with handfuls of people left waiting outside of the courthouse.
As the full courthouse emptied, tears could be seen streaming down the faces of those in attendance, many very emotional.
Pavlik did not spend any time in jail following the Sept. 8 crash on Prospect Creek Road. Instead he agreed to participate in a 24/7 Sobriety Program, which required him to wear a Secure Continuous Remote Alcohol Monitoring bracelet. Pavlik was booked and released.
His first night in jail occurred after he was taken away following his sentencing.
Pavlik pleaded guilty at his initial appearance to four felony counts in January. Pavlik was charged with two counts of vehicular homicide while under the influence and two counts of criminal endangerment.
Initial reports of the incident state Pavlik did not know what he hit at the time of the crash. The investigators found Pavlik had a .245 blood alcohol content in his system at the time of the crash.
Shortly after Bennett was transported to Clark Fork Valley Hospital, he was pronounced dead. Jackson was pronounced dead on arrival.
Bennett’s children, Mya and Abel, were also injured in the collision. Abel was flown to Harborview Medical Center in Seattle while Mya was treated at CFVH for injuries.