PINEDALE (WNE) — Natalie R. Pilon, who moved from Pinedale to Billings, Mont., to continue recovery in 2021 after deliberately driving her car into a semi truck with a fully loaded trailer, was sentenced to prison late last month. 

Pilon was seriously injured, as was the logging truck’s driver, Cayle Flugel, on Oct. 30, 2021; both were life-flighted from the scene several miles west of Pinedale that closed Highway 191 while cranes moved full-length logs like pick-up sticks. 

Another driver was slightly injured. 

Pilon was charged with felony intentional or reckless aggravated assault and battery and felony property destruction. She was also charged with misdemeanors of driving with a visible cell phone screen and not wearing a seatbelt. 

Pilon first pleaded not guilty by reason of mental infirmity but changed her plea to no contest as part of a plea agreement. 

Ninth District Court Judge Kate McKay sentenced Pilon, out on bond since the collision, to an 8- to 10-year prison term for one count of felony aggravated assault and battery and a concurrent 8- to 10-year prison term for felony property destruction. 

McKay dismissed Pilon’s second felony aggravated assault and battery charge and a second felony property destruction charge. 

After assessing fees and court costs, she ordered Pilon to make restitution totaling $131,050.80.