Drunk Driver Nearly Hits Oncoming Traffic in Missoula

Missoula, MT (KGVO-AM News) - On October 1, 2023, at approximately 8:03 p.m., a Missoula Police Department officer was dispatched to a reported intoxicated driver. A complainant reported a blue pickup truck was failing to maintain its lane of travel by crossing over a double yellow line and hitting its brakes. He was behind the suspect vehicle until it turned onto 39th Street from 23rd Avenue.  

The officer responded to the scene and saw the suspect vehicle traveling into the bicycle lane as it headed northbound on Russell Street. The officer observed the vehicle correct its lane and then it began drifting towards oncoming traffic, including the officer’s patrol car. The officer turned around and began following the suspect vehicle.  

The officer observed the suspect vehicle had a burned-out headlight on its passenger side. He then observed the suspect vehicle drift across the solid white fog line approximately six times and nearly drive onto the sidewalk. The officer activated his emergency lights at Russell and S. 2nd St. and observed the suspect vehicle drift onto the right shoulder of the roadway where a pedestrian was walking. 

The suspect vehicle then began to turn eastbound onto S. 2nd St. on the wrong side of the roadway. The officer noticed the driver’s front side tires were nearly in the grass off the roadway. The suspect vehicle then attempted to correct into the proper lane of travel, nearly striking a legally parked vehicle in doing so. The suspect vehicle was traveling east at approximately seven miles per hour.  

The vehicle continued to travel for approximately one block while the officer followed behind with his lights activated. The officer then activated his audible siren. The vehicle traveled an additional two blocks before pulling to the left side of the roadway and coming to a stop. 

The officer made contact with the driver and identified him as 54-year-old Shawn Lamere. The officer asked Lamere to perform Standardized Field Sobriety Tests, which Lamere refused. As Lamere was speaking, the officer observed a strong odor of alcohol emitting from his person. Lamere also struggled to stand and maintain his balance as he walked and stood. Lamere’s speech was slurred, and he also refused to provide a preliminary breath sample. The officer then placed Lamere under arrest. 

The officer then requested a blood sample, which Lamere agreed to provide. The officer transported Lamere to St. Patrick’s Hospital where a blood draw was performed. Lamere was then remanded into custody at the Missoula County Detention Facility. 

Lamere is currently being charged with felony DUI. According to court documents, Lamere has four prior DUI convictions. On October 2, 2023, Lamere made his initial appearance in Missoula Justice Court and his bond was set at $25,000. 

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