Man Bites Officer at the Missoula Jail Following His DUI Arrest

Missoula, MT (KGVO-AM News) - On November 30, 2024, at approximately 11:30 PM, a Montana Highway Patrol Trooper observed a vehicle swerving within its lane near the intersection of Brooke and 39th Street. The vehicle continued to swerve as he followed it. After passing Blue Mountain Road, the vehicle took off at a high rate of speed. 

The trooper said the vehicle was traveling more than 90-100 MPH as it headed toward Lolo. The trooper said he reached speeds of 123 MPH attempting to catch up to the vehicle. The driver was slow to pull over but eventually stopped at a gas station in Lolo.

The driver was identified as 25-year-old Erik Pimentel. His eyes were red and watery and there was a strong odor of an alcoholic beverage coming from the vehicle. Pimentel informed the trooper his license was suspended from a DUI six months prior.

According to court documents, he admitted to consuming one beer, then two beers, and then three beers. He also admitted that he smoked marijuana earlier in the day. During SFST’s he showed 12/18 clues of impairment. He also agreed to a preliminary breath test which was .210 BRAC. Then he was arrested for DUI. 

Pimentel then got upset that he was going to jail and began to yell at the trooper. He also refused to provide a blood sample. A blood warrant was applied for and granted. Blood was drawn at the hospital and submitted for testing. At the hospital, Pimentel slipped his handcuffs and later pulled his hands to his chest to not allow officers to reposition his cuffs. 

READ MORE: Missoula News - Crime Reports

At the jail, Pimentel became uncooperative and refused to comply with detention officer’s request. He pulled away from them and refused to do anything. Officers had to physically escort him to a cell.  

In the cell, Pimentel was resistive and began kicking his legs at officers. He had to be held for officers to remove his boots, socks, and earring. When attempting to remove the earring, Pimentel pinned his head to the bunk to prevent officers from removing it. 

When rolled onto his stomach, Pimentel began kicking his legs again. Officers brought a restraint chair and spit hood. When placing him in the chair, Pimentel bit an officer on the arm, causing a visible bite mark and bruising. Officers had to use force on the hypoglossal pressure point to release his bite. 

Pimentel is currently being charged with felony assault on a peace officer, DUI second offense, obstructing a peace officer, reckless driving second offense, and habitual traffic offender. His bond was set at $25,000. 

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