Worley Man Sentenced to 36 Months for Involuntary Manslaughter
| U.S. Attorney’s Office June 15, 2011 |
Joseph Michael Matt, Jr., 26, of Worley, Idaho, was sentenced to 36 months in federal prison followed by three years of supervised release for involuntary manslaughter, U.S. Attorney Wendy J. Olson announced. Matt appeared late yesterday before U.S. District Judge Edward J. Lodge in Coeur d’Alene. Judge Lodge also ordered Matt to pay $5,707.66 in funeral expenses for the victim. He pleaded guilty to the charge on November 22, 2010.
According to court documents, on August 18, 2009, Matt and his passenger, William Davison, were driving on Lovell Valley Road on the Coeur d’Alene Indian Reservation. Matt was under the influence of alcohol and methamphetamine and was speeding when he lost control of his vehicle. The vehicle rolled several times ejecting Matt and Davison from the vehicle. Matt suffered broken bones and Davison died at the scene.
At sentencing, Judge Lodge noted that Matt had prior convictions for driving under the influence, and that the case “called out for deterrents.” Judge Lodge explained that he needed to “send a message that drinking and driving will not be tolerated because they result in tragedies like this one.”
The case was investigated by Coeur d’Alene Tribal Police, the Idaho State Police and the Federal Bureau of Investigation.