A 50-year-old Kalispell man who allegedly stabbed another man multiple times pleaded not guilty Thursday in Flathead District Court to felony assault with a weapon.

According to a court document, William Smith Jr. met Saylen Nielsen Dec. 11 at a friend’s home, where they got into an argument. They eventually wound up at Cattleman’s together, but got into another fight when they left the bar in Nielsen’s vehicle.

Smith is alleged to have pulled out a knife and stabbed Nielsen three times in the abdomen and once in the neck when he pulled the vehicle over on Farm to Market Road.

Nielsen fled the vehicle, escaping to a Barron Way home, where police found him on the back patio.

Smith, driving Nielsen’s vehicle, was arrested about a half hour later on U.S. 93 North. A Montana Highway Patrol trooper stopped him because he believed Smith was drunk.

The trooper was able to identify Smith as the suspect in the stabbing. The court document states a knife was found in Smith’s pocket and a fixed-blade serrated knife was found in the hatchback area of the vehicle.

If convicted, Smith faces up to 20 years in prison and a fine of up to $50,000. His next hearing is scheduled for Jan. 16.