U.S. Attorney Jesse A. Laslovich | U.S. Department of Justice
A Heart Butte resident, Chasen James Kipp, has admitted to causing a fatal accident on the Blackfeet Indian Reservation while under the influence of alcohol. The U.S. Attorney Jesse Laslovich announced that Kipp, 25, pleaded guilty to involuntary manslaughter.
Kipp could face up to eight years in prison along with a $250,000 fine and three years of supervised release. Chief U.S. District Judge Brian M. Morris is overseeing the case and will decide on the sentence after reviewing the U.S. Sentencing Guidelines and other relevant factors. The sentencing is scheduled for April 23, 2025, and Kipp remains free pending further proceedings.
According to court documents presented by the government, on October 31, 2023, Kipp was driving a 2022 Dodge Charger near Cut Bank airport on the Blackfeet Indian Reservation when he veered into oncoming traffic and collided with another vehicle. This collision resulted in the death of Jane Doe, who was driving a sedan.
Law enforcement officers reported that they found Kipp staggering at the scene and detected alcohol on his breath. A toxicology report indicated his blood alcohol concentration was .114; he also tested positive for cocaine use. The investigation revealed that Kipp was traveling at 82 mph in a zone where the speed limit was 65 mph when he crossed into opposing traffic lanes.
The prosecution of this case is being handled by the U.S. Attorney’s Office with investigative efforts conducted by several agencies including Blackfeet Law Enforcement Services, Cut Bank Police Department, Glacier County Sheriff’s Office, Montana Highway Patrol, and FBI.
