BOZEMAN, MT – A Bozeman, Montana man is facing a vehicular homicide charge in connection with an alleged drunken driving accident that killed a former Rapid City woman.
Alexa Dzintars was killed December 14th while riding a bicycle when she was struck by a vehicle. The driver, 27-year-old Chad Alexander Basaites, has been charged with vehicular homicide while under the influence.
According to court documents, Basaites called 911 around 11:40 p.m. Saturday to report he had struck a bicyclist on N. 19th Ave. at Rawhide Ridge Road.
A Bozeman police officer less than a block away arrived and began to perform CPR on the woman. Emergency responders pronounced her dead at approximately 11:50 p.m.
A second officer interviewed Basaites at the scene and he reportedly said he had consumed “three or four” drinks at a holiday Christmas party that evening. The officer noted that Basaites had red eyes and was slurring his words and swaying.
Court documents state Basaites’ performance on field sobriety tests indicated he was under the influence. He allegedly refused a breath test and was then arrested and taken to the Gallatin County Detention Center. Police were granted a search warrant to draw a blood sample from Basaites.
Dzintars is a Rapid City Stevens graduate who had attended college in Bozeman and was studying studio art at Montana State University.
A memorial service for Alexa will be held Saturday, December 21 at Calvary Lutheran Church in Rapid City.
