Missoula Man Driving 30 MPH Under the Limit Gets Arrested for DUI

Missoula, MT (KGVO-AM News) - On April 17, 2023, at approximately 12:40 a.m., a Missoula County Sheriff’s Office Deputy observed a Ford Ranger truck driving on Highway 200 near Marshal Canyon Road. The vehicle was traveling 25 MPH in a 55 MPH zone. The vehicle was also emitting white light from the driver’s side tail lamp and there was no license plate light. The deputy decided to initiate a traffic stop. 

As the deputy approached the vehicle, it began to roll backward. The driver then began yelling that he was not drunk. The driver had slurred speech, was argumentative, and had pinpoint pupils and watery eyes. The deputy identified the driver as 55-year-old John Reinertson through a photo on his patrol car computer. 

Reinertson did not have any registration or insurance and was not carrying a license. The deputy decided to conduct field sobriety tests and Reinertson showed 12/18 clues of impairment. Reinertson also agreed to provide a PBT, which did not detect any alcohol. Due to the totality of the circumstances, the deputy placed Reinertson under arrest for DUI. 

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During a search incident to arrest, the deputy found a blue straw with a white crystalline substance inside on Reinertson’s person. Reinertson refused to provide a blood sample, but a warrant was obtained. The deputy learned that Reinertson was on probation and a probation search was conducted on his vehicle. 

During the search, 1.9 grams of methamphetamine were found in the vehicle. According to court documents, while the deputy was with Reinertson at the hospital for the blood draw, Reinertson uttered that he smoked meth last night and that there was meth in his car. Reinertson was read his Miranda rights and refused to talk further.  

Reinertson is currently being charged with felony criminal possession of dangerous drugs and misdemeanor DUI third offense. Court documents indicate Reinertson has past DUI convictions from 1997 and 2003 from Missoula Municipal Court and is currently on felony probation. 

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