Gov. Greg Gianforte lauded the efforts of local anti-drunk driving advocates in Flathead County on Wednesday at a ceremonial signing of Bobby’s Law.  

The law, which was introduced in the state Legislature earlier this year by Rep. Braxton Mitchell, R-Columbia Falls, will make it easier for prosecutors to pursue felony convictions in cases involving a drunk driving fatality. The bill was officially signed into law on April 29. 

More than 50 people crowded into a back room of the Flathead County Sheriff’s Posse Building on Shady Lane yesterday for the commemorative signing, including the family of the bill’s namesake, Robert “Bobby” Dewbre. 

Dewbre was struck and killed by a drunk driver in March 2023 while crossing the road near intersection of U.S. 2 and Montana 40 outside of Columbia Falls. The driver, John Lee Wilson, was eventually charged with two misdemeanors in relation to the incident and received the combined maximum sentence of 18 months.  

For Dewbre’s family, the sentence was a poor condolence.  

“Families like mine and so many others in the room deserve justice and the space to grieve,” said Dewbre’s sister, Carlie Seymour, at Wednesday's event. 

Following Dewbre’s death, Seymour and her mother, Beth McBride, founded the nonprofit Montana Bar Fairies to advocate against drunk driving. The group initially focused on dropping gift cards to local coffee shops on the windshields of cars left in bar parking lots overnight. The cards, which included a story of someone killed by a drunk driver in addition to the small financial incentive, were meant to encourage safe transportation options after drinking. 

The duo’s efforts soon attracted dozens of other volunteers to the organization, including the family members of several other victims killed in drunk driving accidents. On the eve of the 2025 state legislative session, the organization expanded its scope and began advocating for statewide policies to deter drunk driving. 

The resulting legislation — Bobby’s law — addressed what some considered a loophole in the state’s drunk driving laws. Previously, a drunk driver that caused a fatality could only receive a felony conviction if the prosecution proved they had been acting negligently.  

Flathead County Attorney Travis Ahner alluded to the requirement to prove negligence as a reason the county decided against pursuing felony charges in the death of Dewbre. While Wilson has a blood alcohol content of 0.20, over twice the legal limit, he was reportedly following all traffic laws leading up to the collision. 

Under Bobby’s Law, any driver involved in a traffic fatality can be charged with a felony if their blood alcohol content is equal to or above 0.16, regardless of whether they otherwise acted negligently. Offenders face a state prison term of between three and 30 years, a fine between $10,000 and $50,000 or both. 

The measure passed both state houses with near-unanimous support. 

SEYMOUR DESCRIBED the passing of Bobby’s Law as bittersweet. 

“Bobby’s Law won’t bring my brother back,” she said. “But it may save someone else’s brother.” 

Several members of Montana Bar Fairies attended the event, including Polson resident Kelly Davis. After retiring, Davis said she wanted to become more involved in community service. While she hadn’t experienced the same heartbreak as the Dewbre family, she said the organization's mission “touched my heart.” 

“We’re from here, so we give a care,” said Davis, referring to both herself and her partner, who also volunteers with Montana Bar Fairies. “This is a big deal in Montana. It’s scary out there.” 

A 2025 report from Forbes found that Montana had more drunk driving fatalities per capita than any other state. Data collected by the Montana Department of Transportation shows that about 42% of all roadway fatalities in Flathead County involve a drunk driver. 

McBride said she hopes Bobby’s Law helps “start the conversation” among Montanans about the dangers of drinking while driving. In addition to getting involved in local politics, she said she hopes to continue working with Montana Bar Fairies to craft state policies aimed at reducing drunk driving fatalities and injuries. 

“Not only is it ruining the lives of the victims, the victims’ families, it’s ruining the lives of the drivers,” she said. “So, we want that to be changed so no one suffers.” 

While McBride attended the bill’s official signing in April, she said the ceremony on Wednesday was especially potent. 

“To have it here in the Flathead means a lot,” said McBride. “We couldn’t have done it without the people here in the Flathead. This is something that we get to celebrate together.” 

Reporter Hailey Smalley may be reached at 758-4433 or [email protected].