Photo: Carissa Heavy Runner (in hat), mother of Mika Westwolf with supporter at Lake Country Courthouse in Polson, Montana from Mika Matters.com
Sunny White, was sentenced to 25, with 15 years suspended, for the 2023 vehicular death of Mika Josephine Westwolf, age 22. White was convicted of driving under the influence of methamphetamine and fentanyl, and leaving the scene of the accident.
The Lake County, Montana courtroom was so packed with Mika's supporters, an overflow room was provided so they could witness the court proceedings via video feed.
Sunny Katherinne White was driving with her two oldest children in the car when the vehicle struck Ms. Westwolf on a country road in Lake County, MT. It took months of activism by Mika's mother, Carissa HeavyRunner, to get Sunny White charged with a crime. Though the incident occurred on March 31, 2023; police did not arrest Sunny White until October 20, 2023.
Ms. White eventually pled guilty to vehicular homicide on October 30, 2024. After delays in sentencing, she was finally sentenced on February 7, 2025 to 25 years, with 15 suspended. Ms. White will likely spend a maximum of 10 years in prison.
Mika Westwolf's mother, Carissa HeavyRunner, has become an ardent advocate for Mika's case and for other Missing, Murdered and Indigenous People (See Mika Matters Facebook Group)
Mika's Indigenous name is Moht-ta-pai-yissapii ("Everyone Looks At Her"). Though mostly raised in the Blackfeet Nation, she also has family ties to the Dine, Cree and Klamath people.
Sources:
Kevin Thompson, "Mika Westwolf's Alleged Killer Arrested After Long Delay," Indigenousnework.org, October 27, 2023.
Kylie Gibson, "Sunny White to Serve 10 Years For the Death of Mika Westwolf," NBCMontana, February 7, 2025.
"Woman Found Guilty in the Death of Mika Westwolf Sentenced," KPAX.com, February 7, 2025.
Kevin Thompson, "Mika Westwolf's Mom Invites Supporters to Sentencing Hearing on January 31, 2025," Indigenousnetwork.org, November 14 2024.
Nora Mabie and Sam Wilson Lee Newspapers, " ' Her Life Did Matter:' Mika Westwolf's Killer Sunny White Sentenced to 10 Years in Prison," BozemanDailyChronicle.com, February 11, 2025.
