Man pleads not guilty to running over friend

WOLF POINT (AP) — A Florida man who pleaded not guilty Wednesday to charges that he killed his friend by running him over on the side of a highway in northeastern Montana, told a reporter after the court appearance that "it was an accident."

Charles Bowen, 46, of Tavares was arraigned Wednesday on a negligent homicide charge for the death of Brian Doyle.

Doyle was a friend from Jensen Beach, Fla., who had come to the region to find oil field work. Bowen's mother, Marian Bowen, has said the two worked for the same company, Versatile Energy Services, but were on different crews.

Doyle was dressed in a T-shirt, jeans and socks when his body was found Jan. 20 in a ditch along U.S. Highway 2, just west of Bainville. His boots were found nearby, and there were tire tracks on the shoulder of the road near the body.

Doyle's death certificate says the 49-year-old man died Jan. 11 of exposure and crushing injuries from being driven over by a motor vehicle.

Prosecutors say Bowen acknowledged having a confrontation with Doyle that day, ordering him out of his truck on the highway near Culbertson. Bowen has told authorities that he last saw Doyle standing by the side of the highway as he drove away.

After his court appearance, a reporter asked Bowen if he meant to kill Doyle.

"It was an accident," Bowen said.

Neither Bowen nor his attorney would elaborate on the comment. Public defender Matt Pavelich described Bowen as a "pussycat" who was shaken up by the event.

District Court Judge David Cybulski ordered a June 11 trial date for Bowen. The negligent homicide charge carries a maximum sentence of 20 years in prison and a $50,000 fine.

In court documents filed by prosecutors, Bowen told investigators that Doyle was "intoxicated and agitated" when they met at a restaurant in Williston, N.D.

Bowen initially told investigators that Doyle exited the vehicle on his own while they were still in Williston, after Doyle became belligerent and grabbed Bowen by the hair.

But when investigators talked to him a day later, Bowen told them a different story, prosecutors said. In that version of events, Bowen said the pair went to a second restaurant and then started driving toward Culbertson, according to the affidavit.

Along the way, Bowen said, Doyle began striking him on the head and face, pulling his hair and biting his nose. Bowen then ordered Doyle out of the truck and said he last saw Bowen bent over with his hands on his knees, breathing hard, according to prosecutors.

Bowen said he did not stop or get out to check on Doyle.