An 18-year-old on probation for killing someone while driving drunk as a minor allegedly stole a pickup in Coram and crashed it into the woods in June.  

Prosecutors charged Robert James Larocque III of Coram with felony theft of a light vehicle and misdemeanor driving under the influence, first offense, following the June 3 crash near the intersection of U.S. 2 and Belton Stage Road. He pleaded not guilty at his June 8 arraignment before Judge Amy Eddy and is expected back in Flathead County District Court on Sept. 22 for a pretrial conference. 

Deputies with the Flathead County Sheriff's Office began searching for the missing 1988 GMC pickup truck after its owner reported it stolen from the parking lot of a Coram restaurant about 8 p.m., according to court documents. The owner told dispatchers he had left his keys in it.  

Larocque's aunt called the authorities about 15 minutes later, telling dispatchers she had spotted her nephew behind the wheel of the copper-colored truck, court documents said. She said she recognized the pickup because its owner rented from her. 

About 15 minutes later a bystander alerted dispatch to a motor vehicle accident near the intersection of U.S. 2 and Belton Stage Road, a few miles from the restaurant where the pickup vanished. He told authorities that he saw a shirtless man in black shorts running south from the accident along the side of the highway, according to court documents.  

Arriving deputies spotted the shirtless man as he dashed across the highway and into the woods, court documents said. They took the man, identified as Larocque, into custody.  

An allegedly slurring Larocque told deputies he was not driving the truck when it crashed, but acknowledged drinking alcohol. Deputies put him through a field sobriety test, which indicated signs of impairment, according to court documents. 

In the charging documents, prosecutors wrote that Larocque was arrested earlier that day on a revocation warrant connected to his juvenile case. Records from juvenile cases are not publicly available.  

Prosecutors described Larocque as struggling to comply with probation, including using methamphetamine and absconding from supervision, in the lead up to the revocation proceedings.  

If convicted of the felony charge, Larocque faces up to 10 years behind bars and a $50,000 fine. 

News Editor Derrick Perkins can be reached at 406-758-4430 or [email protected]. If you value local journalism, pledge your support at dailyinterlake.com/support.