Man headed to prison for vehicular assault

A northwest Montana man who nearly killed two local people while driving high on meth last year is headed to the Montana State Prison.

Christopher Loban Manges, 52, was sentenced to a total of 15 years, 10 suspended, on July 29 in Flathead County District Court.

Manges pleaded guilty to two counts of negligent vehicular assault June 14. He is currently lodged in the Lincoln County Detention Center on other charges, including violating an order of protection. Manges, who previously lived in Eureka, resided in Kalispell at the time of the crash.

According to court documents, the two victims, both from Whitefish, had more than $800,000 in medical expenses. Manges must pay $181,000 restitution to the woman injured in the crash and $92,348.70 to the man who was also injured. Manges must also pay $25,000 to the Montana Crime Victim Compensation Program.

According to charging documents, Manges was driving east on U.S. 2 west of Hungry Horse at about 3 p.m. Saturday, April 4, 2020, when he crossed into the westbound lane. The woman who was driving the other car swerved into the eastbound lane in an attempt to avoid a crash.

Manges’ vehicle veered back into the eastbound lane and struck the victims’ vehicle. A witness to the wreck said Manges was driving in the middle of the road just before the crash.

The woman was taken to Logan Health in Kalispell after suffering a broken left foot and broken pelvis. She needed surgery for her injuries. The man who was a passenger in the victims’ vehicle was flown from the scene by an A.L.E.R.T. helicopter. He suffered a ruptured spleen and a broken leg.

Officials at the Montana State Crime Lab said a blood sample from Manges had methamphetamine and amphetamine in his system.