Driver in Butte faces misdemeanor charge following deadly pedestrian accident

A 75-year-old man from Butte is facing misdemeanor charges after hitting two pedestrians in October, resulting in the death of one person and serious injuries to another. The incident occurred at the corner of East 2nd and Gaylord Street in Butte. The man, John Walker, is charged with careless driving leading to death and serious bodily injury. The victim who passed away was Christopher DeShazo, while the other pedestrian, Jonathan Crowley, sustained a serious brain injury in the crash that happened during daylight hours. Walker's initial court appearance in Butte is scheduled for January 28th. If found guilty, he could face a jail term of up to six months, a fine of $5,000, or both. Following the accident report at 2:42 p.m. on October 25, the Butte-Silver Bow Sheriff's office, Butte Police, Butte Fire Rescue, and A-1 Ambulance responded to the scene. The pedestrians, aged 42 and 49, were hit by Walker's vehicle as they were walking across Second Street. Both victims were taken to St. James Healthcare with serious injuries. The authorities do not suspect that speed or alcohol played a role in the incident. Additional investigations were conducted by the Butte Police Department, supported by the Montana Highway Patrol. This news was initially reported on-air by a journalist and has been transcribed for this platform with AI assistance. Our editorial team validates all information on all platforms to ensure fairness and accuracy.