The trial for a Kalispell woman accused of killing a 24-year-old Bigfork man in a drunk-driving accident is scheduled to begin today.
Jury selection starts at 9 a.m.
Steffanie Ann Schauf, 27, pleaded not guilty in May 2007 to amended charges of vehicular homicide while under the influence of alcohol, negligent vehicular assault, and criminal endangerment, all felonies. She is free on bail.
Schauf originally had been charged with one count of vehicular homicide while under the influence of alcohol and two counts of negligent vehicular assault.
According to the Montana Highway Patrol, Schauf was driving southbound on U.S. 93 in her Mazda Miata at about 1:30 a.m. on July 1, 2006. As she neared the Happy Valley area, her car plowed into the back of a pickup truck driven by Christopher Gray, 28, of Bigfork.
The impact sent the truck rolling down an embankment, ejecting passenger Brett Adams, 24, of Kalispell. Adams was taken to Kalispell Regional Medical Center, where he later died from severe brain injuries.
Gray was taken in serious condition to Kalispell Regional Medical Center with broken bones and a punctured lung. A second passenger, who sat between Adams and Gray in the truck, was treated for minor injuries and released.
Schauf's Miata also went into the ditch, where it caught fire. Two passing motorists pulled her from the vehicle.
Authorities with an investigative subpoena drew blood from Schauf after she refused to give a breathalyzer test at the scene, eventually discovering that her blood-alcohol level was .34 - more than four times the legal limit of .08.
Schauf is represented by Kalispell attorney George Best. The prosecution is represented by County Attorney Ed Corrigan and Deputy County Attorney Lori Adams.
If convicted on all counts, Schauf faces up to 50 years in prison and a $110,000 fine.
Reporter Nicholas Ledden can be reached at 758-4441 or by e-mail at nledden@dailyinterlake.com
faithful reader
photoguy, you're becoming one of my favorite posters here.
EDIE
I realy hope that the man who killed my husband back on Dec.27,07 on 93 south and seriousley injured the two men in the car with him PAYS because now I am a single (WIDOW) mom raising 2 kids on my own and it has been VERY hard
photoguy
There is NO bad choice, when you drink and drive!, it is not an "accident" it is not a "mistake" it is an act that you willingly commit, knowing what might and could happen, we all know what could happen and far to often DOES happen, thre is NO difference, he committed a malicious act, he drank, he knew what could happen, he drove, knowing he was impaired, he knew he was committing a malicious as well as an illegal action, when he turned the key in the ignition of that vehicle, if you play the game long enough, there will be events..This no mistake, it not an accident..it was by definition Murder, but it was not pre-meditated as he did not know YET, who his victim would be..
TheOne
I love how this article has nothing to do with Dan yet you people are crap talking over here also. Yes people know that when they drive drunk they take the risk...but you know what EVERYTIME your ass gets in a car and drives somewhere u take the risk of gettin in a crash and hurting someone everytime you are sitting there text on your cell phone or swerving around changing your radio station or diggin in your purse or wallet that was on the other seat or trying to open a pop and you got your knee on the wheel instead of your hands or when you are checkin your hair, pickin your teeth, puttin on your make up Lighting a cigarette BLA BLA FRICKIN BLA you are in your words willingly commiting a possible murder...People do stupid crap all the time and it results in something terrible I am so sick of people just raggin about this like they have never gotten behind the wheel or let someone they love do the same? when all of you can prove innocense to that then I will be more then willing to support your facts but until then why not
vleo
You are right The One, everytime your ass gets in a car you take your life in your own hands. Which is even more of a reason to not impair yourself even more, and drink and drive. If you do, you need to know that if you killed two, you should be punished. I feel that anyone that impairs themselves should face the same. If that is from driving while texting, putting makeup on, or talking on the phone. If it can be proved that is the reason for the wreck, then they should be charged. If you killed someone doing it, you should be charged with it as a homicide. Isn't that what you would expect if your kid was killed that night?
coprguy
Come on everybody don't gang up on TheOne this person is obviously very distraught that their drinking buddy Danny wont't be around for awhile. After reading the comments from this person I don't believe they are one of the two people who spoke on Reslers behalf, I wonder why someone who can defend Resler so gallantly on these comment pages, couldn't find the nerve to do it in open court.
TheOne
I am not distraught, if I did not live 2600 miles away and have a child in school I would of glady took time off to come to his defense in court. As far as doing things while you are driving yes some of that stuff is illegal maybe not in po dunk montana but I know you can get pulled over from talking on your cell phone. I have not ever said what he did was excusable or ok I have only said he made a stupid choice one that has affected many lives but it is the same stupid choice many many of us have made and just didnt get caught...I do not excuse him for what he did and I do believe he should be punished as i would say no matter who it is. I unlike many of the people commenting in these posts have the ability to take in both sides of the situation. I have driven drunk and I knew it was wrong but just like many people you do things you shouldnt all the time, doesnt mean its right...As far as ganging up on me go for it I can take it Im
TheOne
Oh and for the record cop I dont drink and drive anymore infact I barely drink maybe once or twice a year I have some wine ive had too many friends and family set examples of why driving while drinking is stupid, Including dan. But if you want to act like you know anything about me or the person I am go ahead im always ready for a good laugh..
EDIE
People who drink and drive mitaswell been carring a gun instead of a beer they drink and drive and kill someone even though it was an accident they should get murder. My husband was just killed on Dec 27, 07 out south of town because one careless driver who was speeding on top of bad road conditions and not paying attention. I still think it should be murder no matter if it was an accident
Dragonfly
Everyone in here is talking as though they have never made a single mistake in their enitire life. Do any of you even know the family directly or are you just butting into other peoples business? He has been sentenced, it's over, get over it. TheOne you're the only one who has actually said that you've made a mistake, that's very noble it must run in your family. Dan is a great person and I hope the one day some of you will eat the words that you are saying.