BUTTE — John Walker faces a misdemeanor charge after he hit two pedestrians with his vehicle in October 2025, killing one and seriously injuring another.
Walker, 75 years old, is charged with careless driving resulting in death and serious bodily injury following the October 25 incident at the corner of East 2nd and Gaylord Street in Butte.
Christopher DeShazo was killed in the crash, and Jonathan Crowley sustained a serious brain injury.
Walker will make his first appearance in Butte city court on January 28th. If convicted, he faces up to six months in jail and a fine of $5,000, or both.
According to Butte-Silver Bow Sheriff Ed Lester, emergency personnel responded to the intersection at 2:42 p.m. on October 25 following reports of a collision involving a vehicles and pedestrians.
The two men, ages 42 and 49, had been walking south across Second Street when they were hit by Walker's eastbound vehicle.
Both pedestrians sustained serious injuries and were taken to St. James Healthcare, where DeShazo later died.
The initial investigation determined that alcohol and/or speed were not factors in the collision.
The Butte Police Department conducted additional testing and investigation with assistance from the Montana Highway Patrol.
This article has been lightly edited with the assistance of AI for clarity, syntax, and grammar.
(OCTOBER 27, 2025) Two Butte men crossing a street on Saturday afternoon were struck by a vehicle driven by a 75-year-old man.
According to Butte-Silver Bow Sheriff Ed Lester, at 2:42 PM on October 25th, Butte Police, Butte Fire Rescue, and A-1 Ambulance responded to the intersection of Second and Gaylord Streets in Butte on the report of a vehicle versus pedestrians accident.
The Butte men, ages 42 and 49, had been struck by a vehicle. The men had been walking southbound, across Second Street, when they were struck by a vehicle that was eastbound on Second Street.
The vehicle that struck the pedestrians was driven by a 75-year-old Butte man.
Both males who were struck by the vehicle sustained serious injuries and were transported to St. James Healthcare.
The names of the individuals involved are not being released at this time. Further information will be released when it becomes available.
