Prosecutors: Driver in fatal crash was drunk
Holiman
COEUR d’ALENE — Prosecutors said a man accused of causing a deadly crash was drunk.
Michael L. Holiman, 70, of Harrison, is charged with vehicular manslaughter, a felony.
The charge stems from October, when law enforcement responded to a single-vehicle crash in the area of Thompson Lake Road and Harlow Point near Harrison.
The driver, identified as Holiman, was transported to Kootenai Health with non-life-threatening injuries, as were two other passengers.
The fourth passenger, 69-year-old Harrison resident Nancy L. Holiman, reportedly died at the scene.
Holiman allegedly told police he had consumed at least five beers at Oktoberfest in Harrison City Park.
Police obtained a warrant to draw Holiman’s blood and test it to determine his blood alcohol content.
Court documents indicate that Holiman’s BAC was 0.10. In Idaho, a BAC of 0.08 or higher is considered impaired.
First District Judge Rich Christensen signed an order last week to amend the charges to reflect Holiman’s BAC.
The case has been referred to the district court for further action.
Holiman has been free since shortly after his arrest in October.
First District Judge Ross Pittman cited Holiman’s age and lack of any prior criminal record as reasons to release him on his own recognizance.
Prosecutors had requested that Holiman be held on $50,000 bail and have his driving privileges revoked.
The purpose of bond is to ensure that defendants will appear in court.
Idaho Criminal Rule 46 directs a court to consider certain factors when making the decision to set bond or release a person on their own recognizance.
These factors include the nature of the alleged offense, any prior criminal record or the defendant’s ties to the community where the offense occurred.
Pittman also ordered that Holiman submit to regular drug and alcohol testing and forbade him from driving.
In Idaho, vehicular manslaughter is punishable by a maximum of 15 years in prison.
Holiman is expected to appear in court in February.