MISSOULA — A 24-year-old Missoula man has been sentenced to five years in the custody of the Department of Corrections after pleading guilty to driving drunk and traveling the wrong way on Interstate 90, causing a fatal crash.
The Missoulian reports Eduardo Lopez was sentenced Friday to 40 years with the department with 35 suspended for the Oct. 25 death of 54-year-old Shawna Wootan. The department will determine his placement.
Lopez pleaded guilty to vehicular homicide while under the influence and 15 counts of felony criminal endangerment for the other people that he nearly hit or forced off the road during his 11-mile wrong-way drive. Prosecutors say chemicals in the back of Lopez’s truck caught fire, causing Wottan to be burned beyond recognition.
Deschamps also ordered Lopez to complete 5,000 hours of community service and pay $16,000 in restitution.