POLSON - A Clinton man pleaded not guilty in district court last Thursday to a felony charge stemming from a fatal highway accident more than a year ago.

William Maus, 23, of Clinton, pleaded not guilty to the charge of vehicular homicide while under the influence, a felony. He posted a $20,000 bond and remains free pending the outcome of his case, which will next pick up during an omnibus hearing in May.

According to reports in the Leader immediately after the Feb. 4, 2009 accident, Montana Highway Patrol Trooper Tim Proctor said a four car crash occurred at mile marker 41 near the Ninepipes area when a southbound Ford Explorer, driven by Joshua Stubbs, slowed down and was rear ended by a Honda Civic, forcing the red SUV into oncoming traffic and the path of a northbound Kenworth logging semi-truck.

The Explorer was hit in the passenger side in a "T-bone" fashion by the semi, severely crushing in the car on one side and forcing the SUV back into southbound traffic where it struck a white Dodge Caravan. The semi continued off the right side of the northbound lanes, through the ditch and a fence, before coming to rest on its wheels in the neighboring field.

Stubbs, 18, of Dixon, died at St. Luke Hospital that night from fatal injuries incurred from the crash. The Civic driver, William Maus, and semi-driver Clinton Sohr, of Ronan, were transported to St. Luke, but discharged later that day weather conditions played a serious factor in the cause of the accident. Proctor also added at the time he did not believe that alcohol or drug use or even speed were at the root of the fatal crash.

While in the hospital, Maus submitted a blood sample, which upon further analysis at the State of Montana Crime Lab allegedly revealed the presence of tetrahydrocannabinol (THC), a component of marijuana. Lake County deputy attorney Cory Allen said the levels found in Maus' blood were high enough to suspect he was under the influence of marijuana at the time of the incident.

"With all the changes happening in regards to medical marijuana, some people don't understand that it doesn't give you the right to drive around smoking pot," Allen said. "That is absolutely not the case."

Allen said delays in the charges, which were filed Feb. 1, 2010, resulted from backups at the crime lab and the county attorney's office. Maus was arrested and a warrant for his arrest was executed.

Maus faces up to 30 years in prison and a $50,000 fine on the charge.