DUI Arrest Following a Hit-and-Run Crash in Missoula

Missoula, MT (KGVO-AM News) - On August 24, 2023, shortly after 3:00 p.m., a Montana Highway Patrol trooper was dispatched to a hit-and-run crash on US 93. The trooper responded and was informed that the victim of the hit-and-run was about to get the other vehicle’s license plate. 

The suspect vehicle was later stopped by the Missoula County Sheriff’s Office at the intersection of US 93 and Waldo Road. Deputies identified the driver of the hit-and-run car as 40-year-old Ted Coffman. According to court documents, Coffman stated that the wind had pushed him into the other truck and later changed his statement to say that it was the steering of the rental car. Coffman said he was in a rental because he had totaled his pickup earlier in the month. 

The trooper asked Coffman to perform Standardized Field Sobriety Tests and he observed 10 out of 18 indicators of impairment. During the finger-to-nose test, Coffman missed touching his nose with his fingertip on all three attempts with his left hand. 

Coffman was read the PAST Advisory and agreed to provide a PBT, which yielded a negative result for alcohol. The trooper placed Coffman under arrest for DUI. The trooper searched Coffman and found a pipe in Coffman’s pocket and a baggie that contained a white crystalline substance.  

Coffman agreed to provide a blood sample which was completed at St. Patrick’s Hospital. The trooper read Coffman his Miranda rights and Coffman agreed to speak. Coffman admitted the baggie contained meth and Coffman admitted to smoking meth and marijuana earlier in the day. 

Coffman is currently being charged with felony criminal possession of dangerous drugs, DUI first offense, and leaving the scene of an accident.  

The information in this article was obtained from sources that are publicly viewable.