A 60-year-old woman injured two people after rear-ending a motorcycle while allegedly driving drunk on Montana 82 in late September.  

Marilu Lopresti faces felony counts of negligent vehicular assault and criminal endangerment in Flathead County District Court in connection with the Sept. 21 crash near Sportsman's Bridge. She is expected to appear before Judge Dan Wilson on Nov. 5 for her arraignment.  

A Montana Highway Patrol trooper arrived at the wreck about 9:10 p.m. to find a black motorcycle on its side in the westbound lane and a black Toyota Highlander just next to it, according to court documents. The two people on the motorcycle — both wore helmets — survived the wreck, but one was hospitalized with broken ribs and internal bleeding.   

The woman inside the Highlander, later identified as Lopresti, told the trooper she was unsure of what led up to the crash, court documents alleged. As she struggled to produce a driver's license, the trooper determined that the Highlander likely rear-ended the motorcycle, court documents said.  

While Lopresti recounted her trip home from a friend's house, the trooper detected the odor of alcohol emanating from the Highlander, court documents alleged. During the conversation, Lopresti allegedly admitted drinking two glasses of wine. 

During a subsequent sobriety test, Lopresti showed signs of impairment, according to court documents. She also allegedly had trouble keeping her balance and following directions. 

Asked to submit to a preliminary breath test, Lopresti repeatedly sought advice from the trooper. Allegedly saying she expected to fail, Lopresti eventually provided a sample. It returned at 0.176, according to court documents.  

Investigators later spoke with one of the people on the motorcycle, who recounted the Highlander coming up behind them before crashing into the bike, court documents said. 

Negligent vehicular assault is punishable by up to 10 years behind bars and a $10,000 fine. Criminal endangerment carries a maximum penalty of 10 years imprisonment 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.