Fire Chief Accused of Fleeing the Scene of Fatal Accident Allowed to Leave State Until Further Trial Proceedings

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By KFBB News Team

Story Published: Jul 6, 2009 at 12:08 PM MDT

Story Updated: Jul 6, 2009 at 6:35 PM MDT

A local volunteer fire chief accused of fatally striking 21-year-old Sasha Holt with his vehicle and fleeing the scene last Wednesday (7/1) has been allowed to leave the state of Montana with his family until further court proceedings.

38-year-old Jason Caughey was arrested Friday (7/3) but is currently free on $200,000 bail. Caughey has resigned from his job as an instructor at the MSU Fire Service Training School and Judge Dirk Sandefur granted his lawyer's request to allow Caughey to return to the state of Minnesota with his family until further hearings.

The victim's family say they were outraged by that decision.

"I'm not a mean person, but I don't want this swept away," said Diane Walden, Sasha Holt's mother. "He should have to pay for what he did to my sweetheart."

Court documents released Monday (7/6) state that a search by the Montana Highway Patrol of Caughey's home found that damage to his Nissan Xterra was consistent with the scene of the accident and matched vehicle fragments found at the scene.

The court documents also state that Caughey initially told a Cascade County Sheriff's Deputy that he believed he was the second vehicle who struck the girl and initially thought he had hit a dog instead.

Monday, Jul 13 at 6:24 PM friend wrote ...

Regardless of whether or not it was an accident, he left her there in the road like a piece of garbage... a human being, a 21 year old girl. I can't believe that someone so low and disgusting is paid to protect people, and I hope he never is again. And furthermore it is an outrage that he is walking around free.

Monday, Jul 13 at 4:44 AM Miss wrote ...

I just feel that Jason was in a very wrong place at a very wrong time. He was a victim of circumstance and nothing else. I know how appauling this seems, how could someone possibly leave the scene of such an accident? Please just put yourself or a loved one in HIS shoes. Panic, terror, shock? I do not know how I would react if I hit a human being, nor do you. You may say you would stop, no doubt about it... but truthfully, you will never know until you are forced to stare such a horrific event

Monday, Jul 13 at 4:42 AM Miss wrote ...

First and foremost, I am so sorry for the loss of Sasha Holt. I can understand how upset you all are, but I am coming from a different side. I personally know Jason Caughey and know this was unintentional. Please know that not one life, but two were lost on Fox Farm Road that night. Jason is miserable and will never be the same again. He contemplated suicide, but than did the right thing and chose to be repremanded for this tragedy instead. My heart aches for both of them. I just feel that

Thursday, Jul 9 at 7:24 AM Adam wrote ...

Sasha has been in our family for a long time and she was my sisters best friend. She will be deeply missed. I hope he gets whats coming to him.

Wednesday, Jul 8 at 5:44 PM Angela wrote ...

Sasha was a friend of mine,she had a big heart. Anyone who came along she befriended. Yes it seemed to have been an accident but Sasha was a human being and should be treated as such. And I agree with her mother, he should get punishment for killing this beautiful young woman whom I called a friend.....not a slap on the wrist. RIP SASHA!!! WE ALL LOVE AND MISS YOU!!!

Tuesday, Jul 7 at 1:10 PM Dave wrote ...

I think he should be punished for leaving the scene, but it sounds like it was a pure and simple accident. With the speed limit and no shoulder, no one should be walking along that road.

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