The motorist accused of hitting and seriously injuring a road construction worker near Bigfork in June 2025 is now facing a felony charge in Flathead County District Court.  

Prosecutors filed a negligent vehicular assault charge against 26-year-old Sage Zion French of Marion in May. He was booked into the county jail on Oct. 31 with bail set at $100,000.  

French is expected to appear before Judge Danni Coffman on Nov. 19 for his arraignment.  

French was behind the wheel of the car that struck flagger Joseph Gove as it tore through a construction zone near the intersection of Montana 35 and Chapman Hill Road about 3:38 a.m., June 4, 2025, according to court documents. Although he tried to flee, a group of Gove's coworkers tackled him and held him until Montana Highway Patrol troopers arrived at the site of the wreck, court documents alleged.  

The vehicle's owner, who was riding as a passenger when the collision occurred, told investigators that French came to his door at a motel earlier in the night and asked to borrow his car. French told him that there was an emergency in Bigfork.  

The vehicle pulled up at the construction zone about 3:30 a.m., a worker told troopers. They identified French as the driver and recalled telling him he would need to wait for a pilot car.  

French told them the pair was heading to Bigfork for a family emergency. The worker spoke to a supervisor, who agreed to guide the car through the construction zone.  

The dark-colored sedan overtook the supervisor not long after, court documents said. Another worker driving a pilot car reported seeing the sedan speeding through the construction zone before taking a corner too fast and going airborne.  

That's when French hit Gove, court documents said. The sedan then struck a road sign before coming to a stop with Gove pinned beneath the driver's side of the vehicle.  

Gove, who was on his second day on the job, suffered a broken back, neck, jaw, collarbone and ribs in the wreck. His liver and kidney were lacerated in the crash. 

When the troopers confronted French, he allegedly claimed ignorance.  

"I don't know where I am or what happened," French said, according to court documents. 

The passenger in French's vehicle told authorities that French attempted to switch seats with him after the wreck, court documents said.  

The troopers described French as talking loudly, acting confused and boasting bloodshot, watery eyes. During subsequent field sobriety tests, French showed signs of impairment during a walk-and-turn test, according to court documents.  

A breath sample returned negative for alcohol, but French allegedly told troopers he smoked marijuana several hours before the wreck. A blood sample later sent to the Montana Crime Lab found that French had THC, methamphetamine and amphetamine in his system at the time of the crash, court documents said.  

If convicted, French faces up to 10 years behind bars and a $10,000 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.