BOZEMAN - A Bozeman man was arrested late Saturday night after allegedly striking and killing a woman on her bicycle as he was allegedly driving while intoxicated.
Chad Alexander Basaites, 27, appeared in Gallatin County Justice Court on Monday where he was charged with vehicular homicide while under the influence. His bond was set at $50,000.
According to court documents, Basaites called 911 around 11:40 p.m. Saturday to report he had struck a bicyclist on N. 19th Ave. at Rawhide Ridge Road.
A Bozeman police officer less than a block away arrived and began to perform CPR on the woman. Emergency responders pronounced her dead at approximately 11:50 p.m.
A second officer interviewed Basaites at the scene and he reportedly said he had consumed “three or four” drinks at a holiday Christmas party that evening. The officer noted that Basaites had red eyes and was slurring his words and swaying.
Court documents state Basaites’ performance on field sobriety tests indicated he was under the influence. He allegedly refused a breath test and was then arrested and taken to the Gallatin County Detention Center. Police were granted a search warrant to draw a blood sample from Basaites.
Basaites told officers he was headed north on 19th in the right lane when the woman suddenly appeared in front of him, in his lane, with no lights.
The reporting detective said in court documents evidence at the scene indicated the woman was riding on the shoulder, to the right of the fog line. Evidence from Basaites’ vehicle reportedly indicated that he was driving on the shoulder, outside the normal lane of travel at the point of impact.
As of Monday morning, Basaites was being held without bond at the detention center ahead of his scheduled court appearance.
This is a developing story and will be updated.
