The family of a Kalispell man who died in a suspected drunk driving crash last month has sued the man accused of the crime.

Londa Meier, the wife of the late Robert Dale Meier, their son Brandon, and their daughter, Tawnni Clouse, through attorney Paul A. Sandry of Kalispell law firm Johnson, Berg and Saxby, filed a wrongful death lawsuit in Flathead County District Court July 8 against 20-year-old Thomas Owen Lefevre, a Tucson, Arizona, resident with ties to the Flathead Valley.

Also named in the suit were Does 1-10, whom the family believes were part of the actions leading up to when Lefevre allegedly drove into the Meiers’ home on Rocky Cliff Drive on the night of June 21.

The family intends to amend the suit, naming those it believes played a role in Dale Meier’s death when it learns their respective identities.

The complaint alleges Lefevre crashed through the bedroom where Dale was sleeping, that Lefevre was drunk while he drove and was negligent while he was driving. It also alleges negligence against LeFevre and claims Dale Meier suffered an excruciatingly painful death. Following the crash, Meier was transported to Kalispell Regional Medical Center where he died of his injuries.

The family is seeking compensation for Dale’s medical, funeral and other expenses, lost earnings as well as for the grief and sorrow the family has experienced.

Lefevre must answer the lawsuit suit by July 30 or he faces the possibility of a default judgment against him, in which a judge could award an unspecified amount of money to the family.

Lefevre, who was lodged in the Flathead County Jail on $500,000 bail before Greg and Robin Lefevre and Robert Martin Calfee III agreed to act as sureties after they put up land and property they own in Lake County, according to court documents filed June 30 in Flathead District Court.

Court documents indicate the land consists of more than 150 acres and contains two homes. The estimated value of the property is more than $1.1 million.

Lefevre is charged with felony vehicular homicide while under the influence.

If he fails to appear for any required court proceedings and the bond is ordered forfeited by the court, the three owners would be required to grant, bargain, sell and convey to Flathead County their interest in the land equal to the amount of the bond.

Lefevre must follow several conditions of release. Violating any one of the following conditions will result in his arrest, revocation of release and filing of criminal charges for bail jumping or criminal contempt. He isn’t allowed to drink alcohol or enter bars, taverns or casinos. He is not allowed to have any contact with witnesses and he must wear an electronic monitoring device.

Meier, 59, was asleep in a bedroom at his Rocky Cliff Drive residence when an eastbound 2011 Chevrolet Silverado reportedly failed to negotiate a curve and drove off the roadway, striking the house and entering the bedroom, according to the Montana Highway Patrol.

Lefevre is facing a maximum term of 30 years in the Montana State Prison. He is scheduled to be arraigned at 1:30 p.m. Thursday, Aug. 20, in front of District Judge Amy Eddy,

Reporter Scott Shindledecker may be reached at 758-4441 or [email protected]