A 25-year-old man was arrested on the night of February 27 after a traffic stop in Missoula, Montana, led to allegations of impaired driving and other violations.
According to authorities, a Missoula Police Department officer was patrolling an area of Missoula around 10:11 p.m. when a blue pickup truck was allegedly seen driving in an unusual manner. The vehicle reportedly displayed several driving irregularities, leading the officer to believe the driver could be intoxicated or distracted. A traffic stop was initiated.
Authorities stated that the driver pulled into the entrance area of a local fire station before coming to a stop. Due to safety concerns about the location, the officer reportedly asked the driver to exit the vehicle. When the man stepped out, the officer allegedly observed that he appeared unsteady. The officer also reportedly noticed glossy, reddened eyes and detected the odor of alcohol.
A second officer arrived, and standardized field sobriety tests were conducted. Authorities reported that the driver showed multiple indicators of possible impairment during the evaluations. He later agreed to provide a preliminary breath sample, which reportedly indicated a blood alcohol concentration above the legal limit.
The man was taken into custody and transported to the Missoula County Detention Facility. There, he allegedly provided another breath sample using an Intoxilyzer device, which reportedly measured a blood alcohol concentration of 0.202.
During the investigation, authorities stated that it was found the man’s driver’s license was suspended and that he reportedly did not have valid insurance. A records check also allegedly revealed previous DUI convictions.
It was reported that he is facing preliminary charges of felony DUI, driving with a suspended license, and operating without liability insurance – second offense. His bond was set at $15,000.
If you or someone you love is suspected of a DUI offense, contact Orange County criminal defense lawyer Staycie R. Sena at (949) 477-8088 for a consultation now.