Authorities are holding a 48-year-old man on a pending deliberate homicide charge after he allegedly struck and killed a pedestrian north of Kalispell on Tuesday.  

The fatal collision occurred near the 100 block of Birch Grove Road while Flathead County Sheriff's Office deputies were searching for a motorist — later identified as Jeffrey Scott Serio — reportedly driving through fields and fences, an effort that began about 7:37 p.m., Aug. 19. Shortly after arriving, they learned that the suspect's vehicle had struck a man on foot just north of the search area, officials said.  

Finding the victim pinned beneath the vehicle, deputies employed jacks to free him, officials said. Despite life-saving measures, including CPR, the victim died at the scene.  

After arresting Serio, deputies took him to the county jail, where he remained as of Wednesday afternoon. 

The case remains under investigation by the Sheriff's Office and its Crime Scene Team in conjunction with Montana Highway Patrol. 

News Editor Derrick Perkins can be reached at 758-4430 or [email protected].