Drunk driver who crashed into woman's house and killed her dies by suicide shortly before his homicide trial was due to begin

Published: 16:50, 14 July 2026 | Updated: 16:52, 14 July 2026 A suspected drunk driver who slammed into a home killing a woman inside has died by suicide while awaiting trial. William Bart Stuart, 53, was accused of causing the death of 69-year-old Terry Lamping after he crashed his car into her Montana home in November 2025. Stuart had downed between 14 and 15 drinks before he got behind the wheel according to court documents.  He allegedly fled from a traffic stop and reached speeds of 115 mph, before crashing into Lamping's home in East Helena. Lamping was pronounced dead at the scene while her 76-year-old husband, Philip, was hospitalized. Stuart was charged with felony vehicular homicide while under the influence, felony criminal endangerment, and felony fleeing or eluding a peace officer. He was out on a $500,000 bond when he took his own life on July 9, weeks before he was due to stand trial in early August. Court records indicate Stuart had four prior drinking under the influence convictions, in 1996, 1997, 2003 and 2010 which resulted in jail sentences and license suspensions. William Bart Stuart, 53, a homicide suspect from Helena Montana took his own life when surrounded by police in Reno Nevada on Thursday July 9, 2026 He was accused of causing the death of 69-year-old Terry Lamping (left) after his car crashed into an East Helena home. Her husband Philip Lamping, 76, suffered extensive injuries  Under the conditions of his release, Stuart was required to wear a 24/7 alcohol monitoring device and was barred from driving, entering bars or leaving Lewis and Clark County. Stuart also faced a civil lawsuit filed by Philip Lamping, seeking compensation for the damages, injuries, and pain and suffering caused. The lawsuit states Philip suffered extensive injuries, including a brain bleed and fractured vertebra from the crash.  The Daily Mail has reached out to Philip's lawyer for comment. After Stuart failed to appear for a pre-trial conference on July 8, Lewis and Clark County District Court Judge Michael McMahon issued a no-bond warrant for his arrest. Authorities located Stuart in the area of Sharlands Avenue in Reno, Nevada around 9.00pm last Thursday. After surrounding his vehicle, Reno Police reported hearing a single gunshot. Stuart slammed into the couple's home following a November 2025 high-speed chase with the Montana Highway Patrol  Stuart, seen at a pre-trial hearing, was due to face the charges in early August before his suicide on July 9 Through further investigation, Stuart's death was determined to be suicide. Stuart's identity was confirmed by the Washoe County Medical Examiner's Office using his fingerprints. Stuart's next of kin have been notified, and his charges were dismissed as no accused can stand trial.