Libby man sentenced in drunken chase case

A Libby man who led local law enforcement officials on a high-speed chase while intoxicated last year will serve five years of a suspended 10-year sentence.

Judge Matthew Cuffe handed down the sentence on Oct. 7 after Caleb Covey, 32, reached a plea agreement on charges of criminal endangerment, second offense driving under the influence and criminal contempt.

“This was a very serious incident,” said Deputy County Attorney Jeffrey Zwang. “A serious incident justifies a serious response by this court.”

The pursuit began Sept. 10, 2018, as authorities investigated whether Covey had violated a court order while attempting to visit his child. Sgt. Brandon Holzer of the Lincoln County Sheriff’s Office spotted his vehicle in the area and attempted a stop, but Covey fled, according to court documents.

Authorities converged on Covey as he turned onto Pipe Creek Road from Highway 37. Seeing the road heavily trafficked, Holzer dodged a swerving Covey and pulled ahead to warn oncoming motorists of the pursuit, court documents said.

Covey accelerated, reaching speeds of about 100 miles per hour, according to police accounts. As he overtook Holzer, the sergeant attempted to stop Covey using a pursuit intervention technique (PIT). The law enforcement tactic is designed to send a vehicle sideways and out of control, forcing the motorist to stop.

When Holzer hit the rear driver’s side of Covey’s vehicle, both vehicles lurched sideways. Holzer’s vehicle came to a rest in a ditch while Covey regained control and continue fleeing, according to court documents.

A second PIT maneuver undertaken soon after by Deputy John Davis forced Covey off of the road. Libby Police Officer Chris Pape then blocked Covey’s vehicle from escape.

Officials described Covey as having bloodshot eyes and alcohol on his breath when they arrested him. He registered a 0.158 blood-alcohol level after being cleared at the Cabinet Peaks Medical Center, court documents said.

Authorities initially charged Covey, who was already scheduled in court for a prior DUI, with aggravated driving under the influence, fleeing from or eluding a peace officer, criminal contempt and nine counts of criminal endangerment.

At the sentencing hearing, defense attorney Lane K. Bennett unsuccessfully sought to see the sentence suspended entirely so Covey could continue to receive treatment for schizophrenia in the community.

Covey testified that the incident began after he violated a court order in an attempt to see his son, admitting he struggled to keep up with a treatment plan and often self-medicated.

“That was not a good choice,” he told the court, later saying, “I’ve got a lot to prove to the community and everybody else … that I can make good choices and follow the law and everything else.”

Testifying for the defense, Pastor Eric Myers of Troy Christian Fellowship said Covey has been active in the church since February, including meeting with him and attending a ministry for parishioners struggling with substance abuse.

“Every interaction I’ve ever had with him, he is forthcoming and pleasant,” Myers said.

Jed White, Covey’s former father-in-law, also testified on his behalf, telling the court he has seen a difference in him in recent months.

“[Covey] put the lives of multiple people in danger,” said Judge Cuffe. “But I appreciate and understand where he’s coming from and the issues he’s dealing with respect to mental health.”

Covey, who was fined and will owe restitution for damages incurred during the chase, will serve concurrent one year and six month sentences for the two misdemeanor charges.