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Belgrade woman charged with assault with weapon involving her vehicle

By TED SULLIVAN Chronicle Staff Writer

After a driver was nearly run off the interstate by another vehicle and followed until an altercation occurred at the Three Forks interchange, a woman was charged Monday with felony assault with a weapon n her car.


 Laura Lyn Carlson, 29, of Belgrade appeared in Gallatin County Justice Court Monday morning in green jailhouse coveralls. If convicted, Carlson faces up to 20 years in prison and a $50,000 fine. She will enter a plea to the charge in District Court at a future date.

Justice of the Peace G.L. Smith ordered Carlson released on her own recognizance, but he told her she can’t drive, drink alcohol or use drugs. He also ordered her to wear an ankle bracelet that detects whether she has had any alcohol.

On Saturday at 3:15 p.m., the driver of a westbound GMC pickup truck tried to force a vehicle off Interstate 90 and into a ditch near Belgrade, according to court records.

Later, a person reported a fight at the Three Forks interchange that involved the driver of a GMC pickup, court records stated.

Carlson, who was driving the GMC pickup, told investigators a car had hit her and dented her bumper, causing an argument, according to court records.

But the driver of the other car told investigators Carlson had tried to run her off the road near Belgrade and then followed her to Three Forks, where the altercation occurred, court records stated.

The driver denied hitting Carlson’s vehicle, according to court records, and a witness confirmed her story.

Carlson was arrested and taken to the county jail, court records stated. She was held without bail until her court appearance Monday morning.

The reason for the altercation was not stated in court documents, but Carlson’s mother told the judge her daughter has been struggling, meeting with a counselor and undergoing treatment for substance abuse.

Carlson’s public defender, Eric Brewer, told the judge his client owns a condo in Belgrade and works for a company in Alaska. He said Carlson works from home on her computer. He also said she has family in the area.

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