From the Courts: Man receives 18 months in prison for charge stemming from vehicle crash

U.S. Attorney's Office, District of Montana

GREAT FALLS — Marvin James Cole, 28, who admitted to an assault charge stemming from a vehicle crash on the Fort Belknap Indian Reservation in which his truck hit another vehicle, seriously injuring the other driver, was sentenced Wednesday to 18 months in prison, to be followed by three years of supervised release, U.S. Attorney Jesse Laslovich said.

The defendant, pleaded guilty in October 2023 to assault resulting in serious bodily injury.

Chief U.S. District Judge Brian M. Morris presided.

The government alleged that Cole crashed his GMC truck June 22, 2022, into a Dodge Avenger driven by the victim, identified as John Doe, on Highway 66 near Harlem on the Fort Belknap Indian Reservation. Doe suffered serious injuries and ultimately was treated at a hospital in Seattle.

A toxicology report showed amphetamine and methamphetamine in Cole’s blood. Cole agreed that he likely drifted into the other lane when he looked at his phone.

The U.S. Attorney’s Office prosecuted the case. The FBI, Fort Belknap Law Enforcement, Montana Highway Patrol and Phillips County Sheriff’s Office conducted the investigation.