The Orange County Criminal Lawyer Blog
A Montana man who is currently on probation was arrested when an officer reportedly found him passed out behind the wheel of a vehicle with the motor running, causing him to believe he was under the influence of alcohol.
Late in the evening on September 27, a 52-year-old man was driving in Missoula when he decided to take a nap in his vehicle. He pulled over and parked, and reclined the seat so he could rest for a while. While he was relaxing, a passerby noticed him and became concerned. They located an on-duty officer from the Missoula Police Department nearby and provided the details of what they saw. The officer headed to the vehicle that the person reported, and it was noted that the driver had not turned off the engine before lying down. They also reported that they spotted what they believed was vomit on the ground next to the driver’s side of the car.
When the officer got the driver’s attention, the man allegedly said he had a couple of drinks and wanted to nap in the warm vehicle. He also disclosed that he was on parole. The officer believed the man showed multiple indications of being intoxicated, and he was reportedly unable to steady himself when he got out of his car. At the request of a probation officer, the vehicle was searched, and the officer reported that they found a bottle of liquor in the center console.