A 52-year-old man who was driving drunk when he struck and killed a pedestrian in Missoula has been sentenced to 15 years in prison.

District Judge Dusty Deschamps sentenced Brian Holm on Monday for the Nov. 9 crash that killed 24-year-old Brian Beaver, of Aberdeen, Wash.

Beaver and two friends had stopped in Missoula on their way to Yellowstone National Park and were walking on the sidewalk when Holm's car swerved onto the sidewalk.

Court records say Holms' blood alcohol level was 0.10 percent, more than the 0.08 percent legal limit for driving in Montana. Holm also acknowledged taking prescription drugs the night of the accident.

He was convicted last month of vehicular homicide while under the influence.

Deschamps agreed Monday to suspend implementation of the sentence until an appeal is complete.

Associated Press

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