Man Paroled After Fatal Butte Hit-and-Run

BUTTE, Mont. (AP) — The Montana Board of Pardons and Parole granted parole to a man convicted of the October 2007 drunken driving death of a 14-year-old Butte girl the same day $42,000 in scholarships were awarded in her memory.

The board granted Wade Petersen's request for parole in Helena on April 25. He was sentenced in January 2009 to 10-years in prison for the hit-and-run death of Mariah McCarthy and injuries suffered by two girls who were walking with her.

Senior parole analyst Julie Thomas tells The Montana Standard that Petersen will be subject to enhanced supervision and not allowed to drink alcohol or drive. His final release date has not been set.

Also on April 25, Mariah's Challenge awarded scholarships to 42 Butte students who took a pledge not to drink or use drugs in high school.