Missoula Man Crashes Into Two Cars During His 5th DUI

Missoula, MT (KGVO-AM News) - On May 26th, 2026, at approximately 2:49 p.m., dispatch broadcast an in-progress hit-and-run accident that occurred in the 3900 block of Paxson Street after a vehicle was seen driving on the sidewalk and hitting a parked vehicle. The complainant followed the vehicle to the Albertson's parking lot, where the driver reportedly parked on the curb and almost hit a light pole.

Multiple Missoula Police Department Officers responded with lights and sirens activated due to the possibility of a continued threat to the public by an impaired driver. One officer was nearing the area when dispatch advised that the suspect vehicle was a white Nissan X-Terra and was currently driving over the grass to 34th Street. The officer turned onto 34th and saw the vehicle crash into a parked vehicle at the entrance to the Missoula Housing Authority.

Due to the extremely dangerous driving behavior, the vehicle needed to be immobilized to prevent further movement. Utilizing the right front bumper and push bumper of his patrol truck, the officer made an extremely low-speed contact with the driver's rear door of the X-Terra to pin it against the Toyota.

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Confronting the Driver: High-Stakes Commands

The xTerra was still running and in gear, and the officer knew that a vehicle in that condition would be able to move forward and backward and could maneuver out of the pin. As a result, the officer opened his patrol truck door, stood on the running board, unholstered his department-issued handgun, and pointed it at the male driver. The officer gave the driver simple commands, which he had a hard time following.

The first command was to reach down with his right hand and shut the ignition off. The driver was very slow-moving and tried to accomplish this with his left hand. Once the vehicle was eventually shut off, the driver was ordered to keep his hands on the steering wheel, which he initially did but had to be reminded of later. The driver appeared to be "nodding off" as the officer was waiting for additional officers to arrive and assist. The officer noted that the driver's behavior was not normal for a person who was being held at gunpoint by the police and suspected there may have been drugs on board that were causing it.

Another officer arrived and observed the driver move from the driver's side of the vehicle to the passenger side to exit the vehicle as commanded. That officer then observed the driver exit the vehicle and appear to be unable to keep his balance, but unable to listen to commands. Eventually, the driver acknowledged law enforcement commands and walked backwards to the patrol vehicle, where he was secured in handcuffs and placed in the back of a patrol vehicle.

Suspected Impairment: Signs of Distress

The officer noticed that the driver appeared to "nod off" while in his seated position. The officer noted that from his training and experience, he knew people who "nod off” are typically under the influence of drugs, alcohol, and/or medical problems. When the driver exited the vehicle, Officer Talksabout observed him unable to find his balance and unable to understand directions, which was consistent with possible drug use.

The officer had the driver, who was now positively identified as 61-year-old William Skelton, complete the Standard Field Sobriety Tests (SFSTs). Skelton consented to conduct SFST's, and on the Horizontal Gaze Nystagmus Test, the officer observed 6 out of 6 clues of impairment. The remaining SFST's were not completed.

Then the officer advised Skelton of a preliminary alcohol screening test advisory, which Skelton stated he understood and would provide a preliminary breath test. Skelton provided a sample that returned as a 0.00 BrAC.

READ MORE: Missoula News - Crime Reports

Then the officer read Skelton an implied consent and asked Skelton if he would consent to a blood draw, to which he consented. Skelton was transported to St. Patrick's Hospital, and a blood draw was conducted without incident. Skelton was then transported to the Missoula County Detention Facility. Jail staff advised law enforcement that during Skelton's intake, he had stated to jail staff that he had taken a large amount of Ambien.

After further investigation, law enforcement determined that during Skelton's drive, he had struck two vehicles before being arrested. Skelton is currently being charged with felony DUI, 5th offense, careless driving, failure to give notice by quickest means of an accident, and leaving the scene of an accident resulting in property damage of $1,000 or more without express permission from law enforcement.

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