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Whitefish teen sentenced for traffic death
Posted on July 12

KALISPELL (AP)- A teenager convicted of negligent homicide for the 2007 traffic death of a Columbia Falls woman has been placed on probation until he is 25.

A judge Friday sentenced 16-year-old Phillip J. Wisnewski of Whitefish as a juvenile, but imposed a parallel sentence applicable if he violates terms of his probation as an adult. That sentence was for 10 years of supervision by the state Corrections Department, a term largely suspended. The juvenile portion of the sentencing includes a requirement that Wisnewski participate in crime victim-offender conferences.

Wisnewski and friends were heading home from a rodeo last July when the vehicle he drove without a license collided with a vehicle transporting 22-year-old Sara J. Carter. The crash on U.S. 2 in the Kalispell area killed Carter.

Sentencing for the traffic death was postponed in January after Wisnewski was charged with weapons violations. He said he took a machete from another student who was on a Whitefish school bus in December and had threatened to slash some seats. Wisnewski said he then concealed the machete in his jacket.

The juvenile portion of Wisnewski’s sentencing Friday included consideration of his crimes of disorderly conduct and carrying a concealed weapon, in connection with conduct on the bus.
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