Hamilton Hit and Run Driver Pleads Not Guilty to Killing Child
53 year-old Joseph McNamara, accused in the hit and run death of a nine year-old boy on Golf Course Road in Hamilton on July 7 appeared in Ravalli County District Court on Thursday and entered pleas of not guilty to all charges against him.
Ravalli County Attorney Bill Fulbright provides details on the case.
“Mr. McNamara is charged with the negligent homicide from his driving conduct that struck and killed a nine year-old boy down here in Hamilton,” said Fulbright. “There are additional counts including three felony criminal endangerment charges for others who were on the road in their own vehicles during the time he was fleeing from the scene. There is also a possession of methamphetamine and meth paraphernalia charge that come out of those items being found during the search of his vehicle, and there is also the charge of leaving the scene of a crash. He is facing a possible total of 60 years in prison if convicted on all charges.”
Fulbright said the entire Hamilton community has rallied around the family to the nine year-old boy after his death.
He was crossing the road on his scooter when he was struck and killed by the vehicle that was traveling at twice the 35 miler per hour speed limit.
McNamara’s next court appearance was set for August 15 in Ravalli County District Court. He remains in jail on $500,000 bond.