Drunk Driver Crashes, Knocks Down Power Lines in Missoula

Missoula, MT (KGVO-AM News) - At approximately 1:19 AM on November 24th, 2023, a Missoula Police Department officer received a dispatch to the area of SW Higgins and 39th St. for a report of an injury accident. Dispatch notes advised the complainant heard a car vs. pole accident from inside her house. Notes further advised the vehicle involved was a white Ford Ranger, that a male was outside of the car, and that power lines were down in the road.

The officer arrived and immediately observed significant damage to the vehicle which had left the roadway and crashed into a retaining wall, destroying a telephone pole in the process. The officer also observed downed power lines in the roadway, on a nearby house, and hanging over the wrecked vehicle. The officer observed a male, later identified as Mosiah Sims, sitting in the grass near the pickup truck on his phone. 

Sims Said He Swerved to Avoid a Deer

The officer made contact with Sims and asked if he was injured. Sims stated the last thing he remembered was swerving to avoid a deer. He also told the officer he had been leaving from downtown Missoula.  

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During this interaction, the officer detected the odor of an alcoholic beverage emanating from Sims. Sims began complaining of head and back pain. He stated he was having difficulty moving his feet. The officer told him to remain still until MESI arrived on scene. Once MESI arrived, they loaded him onto a stretcher and prepared him for transport.  

The officer then left the scene to meet Sims at St. Patrick's Hospital for further investigation. Upon arriving at the hospital, the officer received a phone call from another officer, who said Sims was now declining transport. The officer returned to the scene of the accident and continued his investigation. 

Sims Admitted to Drinking Alcohol

When the officer returned to the scene, he met with another officer who said Sims was alert, ambulatory, and was refusing additional treatment. Sims had also disclosed to MESI staff that he had consumed multiple alcoholic beverages. The officer met with Sims and escorted him to his patrol vehicle, where standardized field sobriety tests were conducted.  

The officer read Sims the Preliminary Alcohol Screening Test advisory, and Sims consented to provide a breath sample. The sample returned at .167. At this time, the officer placed Sims under arrest for DUI.  

During the search incident to arrest, the officer removed from Sims’ pocket a large sum of cash and a small plastic baggie containing a white powdery substance that the officer immediately recognized as cocaine. Also among Sims's money was a single $100 bill, which was rolled into a tight cylindrical shape. The officer is aware from training and experience that money will often be rolled into such a shape to nasally ingest dangerous drugs.  

Sims was transported to the Missoula County Detention Facility. He is currently being charged with felony criminal possession of dangerous drugs and DUI first offense. 

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