Teenager faces deliberate homicide charges

The 16-year-old driver of a car that plowed into oncoming traffic on U.S. 93 near Church Drive on March 19, killing two, was charged last week with two counts of deliberate homicide by the Flathead County Attorney's Office.

Prosecutors allege Justine Winter, of Evergreen, drove her car into oncoming traffic in an apparent suicide attempt. Evidence includes text messages sent to her boyfriend less than an hour before the accident. She was charged as an adult.

A student at Glacier High School, Winter was released on house arrest following an initial appearance in Flathead County District Court on Sept. 16. She will be electronically monitored with an ankle bracelet and be allowed only to attend class, medical appointments and meetings with her attorney. She also is prohibited from driving.

Erin Thompson, 35, of Columbia Falls, and her son, Caden Odell, 13, a Kalispell Middle School student, died at the scene of the head-on collision. Thompson was four months pregnant at the time. Their deaths were the first Flathead County traffic fatalities this year.

Thompson had worked at Sage Spa & Salon, in Whitefish, and was well known in the community. On April 22, her co-workers planted an autumn ash in her and Odell's honor across the street in Depot Park. An engraved plaque was placed at the base of the tree.

According to court documents, Thompson and her son were returning to Columbia Falls about 8:30 p.m. after a middle school choral concert, where Odell performed as a percussionist. Investigators conclude Winter's southbound Pontiac Grand Am crossed the centerline and hit Thompson's Subaru Forester at about 85 mph.

According to court records, investigators believe Winter had argued earlier in the day with her boyfriend and may have concluded they were going to break up. This allegedly provoked her into driving into oncoming traffic in a suicide attempt.

Winter dropped her boyfriend off at his house between about 7:30 p.m. and 7:45 p.m., less than an hour before the crash occurred, and then sent him several text messages, including:

•  "Good bye… My last words…"

• "If I won. I would have you. And I wouldn't crash my car."

•  "And think this is now life or death. It shows you would rather me die because I want to kill myself. Good bye…"

• "Because I wanted to kill myself. I wanted you out of my car so I could do what you told me I couldn't. Because I lost you and it's my fault."

If convicted, Winter could face up to 200 years or life in prison. A hearing is scheduled for Oct. 2 to determine whether her case will remain in District Court or be transferred to Youth Court. Her attorney is David Stufft.