Libby man sentenced to 20 years for collision that killed Laura Cooper of Troy

Richard Gene Davidson of Libby was sentenced in 19th Judicial District Court Jan. 5 for his role in a March 2017 collision in which Laura Cooper of Troy was killed.

Judge John Larson sentenced Davidson to 30 years in the Montana State Prison with 10 years suspended and no parole eligibility for 10 years for the felony charge of vehicular homicide under the influence, according to Lincoln County Attorney Marcia Boris.

“It was a very emotional hearing,” Boris said via email. “The victim’s husband, sister, two brothers-in-law, a family friend, and the grandmother of one of the children injured in the crash all spoke at sentencing.

Davidson had also faced felony charges of negligent homicide, criminal possession of dangerous drugs and two counts of negligent vehicular assault, all of which were dropped in a plea agreement dated Nov. 13, 2017.

On March 14, 2017, Davidson was one of the drivers in a two-vehicle crash on Bull Lake Road that left Cooper, 45, dead, and three injured, including Davidson and two juveniles travelling with Cooper. Davidson was travelling alone.

Inside Davidson’s vehicle, a package consistent in appearance with drug paraphernalia was found. The substance inside the package later tested positive for meth.

Davidson allegedly admitted to ambulance personnel that he had used amphetamines that morning.