KALISPELL – Numerous Flathead businesses are showing their support for the Howk family after the tragic death of Erin Howk.
The 15-year-old Evergreen girl was killed in her sleep on April 26 when Jared Parsons drove drunk into her home on Spring Creek Drive at around 2 a.m.
According to court documents, Jared Parsons is charged with vehicular homicide while under the influence.
If found guilty, Parsons could pay up to $50,000 and he could face up to 30 years in prison. He is being held on a $500,000 bond and is expected in court on May 23.
Since then, many Flathead businesses have offered their support for the Howk family.
Wednesday, 20% of all proceeds at Angie’s greenhouse in Columbia Falls went towards the Howk family, and all employees donated their salaries.
Coming up on Monday, May 13, all eight Flathead Valley Subway restaurants will donate 15% of all sales to support the Howk family.
Owner Steven Tuhy heard about the tragedy and knew he had to do something to help.
”It makes me feel good that we’re able to help in this tragic situation and maybe ease the pain a little bit and help them move forward and maybe take something off their plate that they’re worried about so they can grief and move on to the next phase of their life,” Tuhy told MTN News.
Tuhy says his Columbia Falls’ Subway employees plan on honoring Erin’s favorite quote from the book The Outsiders, “stay gold pony boy.” Workers will be attaching gold ribbons to cookies and wearing gold ribbon pins.
Reporting by Maren Siu for MTN News
