A Polson man is accused of causing a fatal crash while driving impaired in downtown Polson. Thomas Edward Redmond, 21, entered a plea of not guilty in Polson District Court Aug. 27 to felony vehicular homicide.

According to charging documents, around 7:43 p.m. Aug. 9, Redmond was southbound on U.S. Highway 93 in a white Kia K5. He turned left onto Main Street, but was allegedly traveling a high rate of speed and took the turn too wide causing the Kia to strike an unoccupied Jeep Gladiator.

The Jeep was struck with enough force that it was pushed sideways and struck a man identified in a press release from Polson Police as Howard Wilson. Another vehicle was also hit by the Jeep. Wilson was walking between the cars at the time.

Wilson was thrown to the ground and sustained serious injuries. He was transported to a St. Joseph Medical Center in Polson and later transported to St. Patrick’s Hospital in Missoula, where he was pronounced dead.

Both the Jeep and Kia were rendered inoperable due to the crash.

Redmond was administered field sobriety tests which indicated signs of impairment. He also allegedly appeared to be intoxicated and smelled of alcohol.

He refused a breath test at the scene; results of a blood draw are pending.

Records show he has a prior DUI conviction from Aug. 20, 2025, and a pending DUI from a traffic stop on Aug. 3, 2026.

Judge John A. Mercer set a trial date of Jan. 11, 2027. Redmond remains in custody with bail set $250,000.