Clark Fork man earns prison for vehicular manslaughter
(Photo courtesy BILL OXFORD)
SANDPOINT – A Clark Fork man will serve three- to nine years in prison for a vehicular manslaughter charge from February.
Robert Joseph Harp, 45, was driving south on U.S. 95 near milepost 463 when he began to drift toward the ditch. Harp over-corrected, crossed over the centerline and struck northbound driver Larry D. Court, 69, of Spokane on Feb. 23, at approximately 12:49 p.m.
“It’s horrible. I never thought I would be in this position. There is hope, I hang onto it every day. There’s no taking back what I’ve done. I feel such remorse, it’s hard,” Harp said during Tuesday’s sentencing.
“He continues to put himself in terrible situations,” said Bonner County Deputy Prosecutor Daniel Rodriguez. “I know with addiction it’s not 100% the person with the addiction’s fault. At some point we can no longer focus on a defendant's addiction problem because they create such a danger for us.”
Rodriguez cited Harp’s previous criminal history, which includes previous charges including possession of a controlled substance, malicious injury to property, domestic battery with a child present, and assault.
“It’s tragic,” Rodriguez said. “There is no adequate remedy in the law for this situation. ... I wish there was a better system for people with this problem. … His addiction does not absolve him of responsibility. It merely explains the circumstance.”
Additional charges were dropped for aggravated driving under the influence, and persistent violation.
Harp was also sentenced for another case from 2018, which was running concurrently to a third case from 2017. Harp was serving three years probation, which was scheduled to be concluded in April 2022.
According to the Idaho Department of Better Health and Welfare, those suffering from Substance Use Disorder experience difficulties in their lives due to repetitive use of drugs or alcohol. The department offers help for those suffering from addiction. The Health and Welfare Department can be reached weekdays from 8 a.m. to 6 p.m. at 1-800-922-3406.