Finley awaits sentencing
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A Ronan man has put himself at the mercy of the court after entering an open plea of guilty to felony criminal endangerment. Alex Patrick Finley, 36, entered the guilty plea at District Court in Polson on Jan. 27.
Without the benefit of a plea agreement, Finley is subject to the maximum penalty of 10 years in the Montana State Prison.
According to court records, on Oct. 29, 2020, Montana Highway Patrol Troopers Wayne Bieber and Tori Harris responded to the scene of a multi-vehicle crash on U.S. Highway 93 in the Pablo area. A witness at the scene told the troopers that a black Chevy Tahoe ran a red light and hit their vehicle before hitting another vehicle.
Finley was alleged to have left the scene before talking to victims or the troopers. When he was later located, he admitted to drinking alcohol before the crash. A blood test showed Finley’s blood alcohol content at .201.
Finley was already on probation, stemming from a criminal endangerment conviction in 2017, which was the result of driving while intoxicated with six children in his vehicle. He was sentenced to five years with the Department of Corrections with all that time suspended. He is also facing sentencing on a pair of assault charges. Judge James Manley set sentencing on all matters for March 17.
