A Kalispell woman has pleaded not guilty to felony negligent vehicular assault after allegedly crashing her motorcycle while drunk, seriously injuring her passenger.

Heidi Nickol, 46, entered the plea May 13 in Flathead District Court.

Nickol allegedly failed to negotiate a slight left curve April 21 on Shady Lane, driving off into a ditch. Her passenger, Matthew Wise, was thrown from the motorcycle and suffered a broken neck and back. Nickol was trapped under the motorcycle.

A court document alleges Nickol admitted to a Montana Highway Patrol trooper that she had been drinking at the Rainbow Bar prior to driving, but after failing one field sobriety test and having trouble completing any further tests, she repeatedly pretended to be asleep when he tried to question her further.

Nickol initially was incarcerated in the Flathead County Detention Center, where her bond was set at $35,000, but she was released on her own recognizance 39 hours later by Justice of the Peace Dan Wilson, who ordered her to participate in the 24/7 Sobriety Program and submit to two breath-alcohol tests each day.

If convicted, Nickol faces up to 10 years of incarceration and a fine of up to $10,000 as well as restitution to Wise.

Her next hearing is set for Sept. 17.