A Kalispell woman accused of killing another motorist in an alcohol-fueled New Year’s Day crash near Bigfork in 2025 pleaded guilty Thursday after striking a deal with prosecutors.  

Kala Renee Knaus, 31, of Kalispell pleaded guilty in Flathead County District Court on Feb. 19 to a single count of vehicular homicide while under the influence. She is accused of killing Alyssa Sladek in the early morning wreck near the intersection of Montana 35 and Holt Drive.  

The maximum penalty for vehicular homicide while under the influence is imprisonment up to 30 years and a maximum fine of up to $50,000.  

Knaus pleaded not guilty to the felony last year, but documents filed by defense attorney Sean Hinchey in district court in January indicated that she had reached a plea agreement with prosecutors. 

Relatives of both Knaus and Sladek joined the packed courtroom on Thursday. Several held signs that read “Justice for Alyssa.”  

Onlookers wept as Knaus was walked in by detention center officers and took a seat in front of Judge Heidi Ulbricht for the hearing. 

Ulbricht outlined Knaus' plea agreement, which included a recommendation for a 20-year sentence in the Montana State Women’s Prison with 10 years suspended. The agreement also allows for restitution.  

Knaus became emotional admitting to the findings of fact, when Hinchey asked if she drove under the influence in the early morning hours of Jan. 1, 2025, resulting in a crash that killed Sladek.  

When first responders arrived at the scene of the crash, they found Sladek dead behind the wheel of a heavily damaged red Kia Rio and an allegedly belligerent Knaus inside a Subaru Forester. Testing later determined her blood alcohol content was at 0.188, which is more than twice the legal limit, according to court documents.   

Investigators concluded that Knaus was driving north on Montana 35 when she crossed the center line and headed into the southbound lane, striking Sladek's Kia. Sladek died from blunt force trauma suffered during the collision, court documents said.   

Friends described Sladek as selfless, kind and empathetic. She had spent the night ringing in the new year with family and then friends in Kila, Evergreen and Kalispell before heading back toward her home near Bigfork.   

Ulbricht accepted Knaus’ guilty plea to the felony charge of vehicular homicide while under the influence. She set sentencing for April 28.  

Following the change of plea, Hinchey also asked about releasing Knaus until the sentencing hearing to “get her affairs in order.”  

After her initial arrest, Knaus was released from custody on a $250,000 property bond posted in July 2025. She had been expected to stand trial in March of this year.  

But in December, prosecutors filed a petition to revoke her freedom, citing violations of the conditions of her release. Knaus, who was required to submit to remote breath testing, missed a test in November and three in December, according to court documents.    

Ulbricht denied her request for release.  

Reporter Taylor Inman may be reached at 758-4440 or [email protected].

    Kala R. Knaus. (Photo courtesy the Flathead County Sheriff's Office)