Man Crashes Motorcycle in Missoula, Arrested for His 6th DUI
Missoula, MT (KGVO-AM News) - On August 15, 2023, Missoula Police Department officers and Missoula County Sheriff’s Office personnel were dispatched to the area of South 14th Street West and Grant Street for a motorist who crashed his motorcycle. A deputy and MPD officers arrived on scene. It was determined this was a single-vehicle accident.
When law enforcement arrived on scene, they identified the driver as 50-year-old Matthew McCausland. Law enforcement viewed some minor abrasions on McCausland and inquired if he needed medical attention, which he declined. An officer asked what happened, and McCausland advised he hit a patch of gravel, which caused the back end of his motorcycle to slip. Both officers observed that there was no loose gravel in the area.
While speaking to McCausland, an officer observed McCausland had glassy, bloodshot eyes and noticed McCausland was swaying a bit while standing. When asked about consuming alcoholic beverages, McCausland denied consuming any at his friend’s residence. An officer believed McCausland was driving impaired and intended to run him through the Standardized Field Sobriety Tests where McCausland exhibited 13 out of 18 clues of impairment.
McCausland was read the Preliminary Alcohol Screening Test Advisory and consented to a preliminary breath test. McCausland’s breath sample yielded a result of 0.169 BAC. McCausland was then arrested for DUI and read the Implied Consent Advisory.
A breath sample was taken at the jail which yielded a result of 0.172 BAC. Prior to McCausland being transported to the jail, a female arrived on scene and spoke to an officer. She advised that her husband was friends with McCausland and that McCausland was just at their residence. She said that McCausland had been drinking for much of the day.
McCausland is currently being charged with felony DUI. According to court documents, McCausland has five prior convictions for DUI. On August 16, 2023, McCausland 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.