Troy woman pleads not guilty to endangering toddler

A Troy woman accused of driving drunk while causing a traffic crash that risked the lives of another driver and a toddler pleaded not guilty last week in Lincoln County District Court.

Amanda Kay Frasco, 38, is facing five counts, including two counts of felony criminal endangerment. The others are misdemeanors, including aggravated driving under the influence, first offense, unlawful possession of an open alcoholic beverage container in a motor vehicle, and failing to carry proof of vehicle insurance. 

Frasco was lodged in the Lincoln County Detention Center before posting $20,000 bail. She appeared with her attorney, Sean D. Hinchey, at her Feb. 18 arraignment. Her next scheduled court appearance is set for 

According to charging documents, Montana Highway Patrol Tpr. Virgil Sadewasser reported Frasco was driving a silver Dodge Caliber west on U.S. 2 near mile marker 21 while under the influence of alcohol. He also said the road was icy, it was dark and snow was blowing.

Sadewasser said the Caliber was traveling at about 70 miles per hour when it crossed the center line and collided with a black Chevy Equinox traveling east.

The trooper said the Caliber side-swiped the Equinox from the front fender to the rear bumper on the driver’s side. When the officer spoke to Frasco, a passenger in the vehicle said she was drinking. Sadewasser saw an open container of an alcoholic beverage behind the passenger seat. He also reported a breath test indicated a blood alcohol content of 0.166, more than twice the legal limit.

Sadewasser said the defendant knowingly engaged in a course of conduct that created a substantial risk of death or serious bodily injury to the female driver and the passenger, a minor.

The maximum sentence for a conviction on criminal endangerment is 10 years in the Montana State Prison. A conviction on the DUI charge may result in a one-year term in the Lincoln County Detention Center.

A conviction on the open container charge may result in a $100 fine. A conviction on the insurance charge may result in a maximum fine of $500.