A West Glacier woman charged with multiple felonies following a drunken motor vehicle wreck on U.S. 2 in June 2024 received a partially suspended 10-year sentence last month.  

Kelsey Lee Malsam, 37, initially pleaded not guilty in Flathead County District Court to felony counts of negligent vehicular assault and criminal endangerment, but struck a deal with prosecutors in April. In exchange for a guilty plea to the former charge, prosecutors agreed to drop the latter.  

Under the terms of the deal, prosecutors recommended Malsam serve a 10-year sentence with five years suspended and enter the state correctional system's addiction treatment program. She would also be required to pay restitution to the three individuals injured in the wreck.   

Judge Danni Coffman handed down the partially suspended sentence Oct. 20.  

Malsam was behind the wheel of a Ford Bronco that drifted into the oncoming traffic lane near mile marker 152 — just north of Halfmoon Lake — and struck a black Chevrolet Suburban about 10:16 p.m., June 27, 2024, according to court documents. All three people in the Suburban were injured in the wreck, and emergency responders airlifted the driver to the hospital. 

A witness recounted the crash to arriving Montana Highway Patrol troopers, saying they were about to report Malsam for drunk driving when the collision occurred, court documents said. Malsam, still at the scene, appeared "in a dazed and confused state," court documents alleged. First responders later took her to Logan Health's Whitefish hospital. 

When troopers followed up with Malsam at the medical facility, they found her crying, yelling, cussing and acting disruptive, court documents said. Approaching her, they detected the scent of an alcoholic beverage and described Malsam as boasting watery and glossy eyes.  

When Malsam refused a blood draw, troopers secured a warrant for the procedure, court documents said. It returned with a reading of 0.254, court documents said.  

Malsam had earned a previous driving under the influence conviction in Flathead County Justice Court prior to the June 2024 wreck. 

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