MISSOULA, Mont. (AP) — A trial has begun for a Missoula man accused of killing a tourist from Washington with his car while under the influence.
Brian Holm has pleaded not guilty to negligent vehicular homicide while under the influence for the Nov. 9 death of 24-year-old Brian Beaver of Aberdeen, Wash.
Court documents say the 51-year-old Holm was taking a narcotic pain reliever and an antidepressant and had a cup of alcohol in the car. Prosecutors say Holm struck Beaver as the tourist and two friends walked along a Missoula sidewalk.
The Missoulian reports (http://bit.ly/n0haqe ) that one friend, Chris Evans, testified Wednesday that they never heard the car coming.
Public Defender Scott Spencer says that Holm was trying to avoid a head-on collision with another car, but the defendant can’t recall the details.
