Montana Highway Patrol Responds to Crash Involving Impaired Driver

Missoula, MT (KGVO-AM News) - On October 9th, 2025, a Montana Highway Patrol Trooper was working a night shift, and around 9:20 P.M., he was alerted to a single-vehicle crash up US Highway 93 N, near mile marker 5. The trooper responded and, upon arrival, found a vehicle with its emergency lights on, to the right-hand shoulder of the roadway, partially in the furthest right-hand lane.  

The trooper noted significant damage to the side of the vehicle, as well as that the side airbags had deployed. The trooper further found a single occupant. The trooper asked the occupant for her name and if she needed medical attention. The occupant identified herself as 65-year-old Mary Elting and was asked to step out of the vehicle.  

The trooper asked Mary what had happened, noting that Mary stumbled out of her vehicle and needed guidance to the trooper’s patrol car. The trooper smelled the odor of alcohol and asked Mary to perform the Standardized Field Sobriety Tests. After instruction, the trooper noted 6/6 indicators of impairment on the HGN test, and due to medical issues, Mary was unable to perform further testing.  

READ MORE: Missoula News – Crime Reports 

Mary was read the PAST Advisory and refused a PBT. She was then read the Implied Consent Advisory and agreed to provide a breath sample. Mary was arrested and transported to the Missoula County Detention Center, where a sample was collected that indicated a 0.132 BAC. The trooper learned that Mary had four prior DUI convictions. As a result, she is currently being charged with felony DUI. 

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