MISSOULA – A man involved in a hit-and-run crash that killed a bicyclist on Highway 83 near Seeley Lake struck a deal Thursday and pleaded no contest to several reduced charges.
Cody Bartlett of Seeley Lake appeared in District Court for the June 25, 2009, accident that killed 18-year-old Rodney “Jake” Loudon, also of Seeley Lake. Bartlett, who was set to go to trial Friday, pleaded no contest to felony evidence tampering and to misdemeanor charges of careless driving resulting in death and failing to give notice of an accident by the quickest means.
Prosecutors say Bartlett told authorities he was fiddling with his radio when he hit what he thought was a deer. He told investigators he didn’t stop, but search warrants identify items from the scene that were found near his home, including one of the victim’s shoes.
Bartlett, who was 23 at the time of the crash, was initially charged with evidence tampering and failing to stop at the scene where a person was killed, both felonies.
But the second felony charge was dismissed as part of Barlett’s plea Thursday before District Judge John Larson, who scheduled sentencing for Dec. 20.
“I’m hopeful that justice will finally be done,” Loudon’s grandmother, Elizabeth Loudon, told the Missoulian. “I really didn’t like Cody wandering around free while Jake was dead.”
The plea agreement involves a five-year commitment to the Department of Corrections on the felony charge, suspended sentences of six months on the careless driving charge and 20 days for failing to give notice.
Bartlett also must pay fees and restitution totaling $3,372.
Defense attorney Milton Datsopoulos said his client accepts responsibility for driving the vehicle that struck Loudon, “and he feels absolutely terrible and basically is trying to get his life back together.”