Montana Driver Arrested For DUI After High-Speed Crash

Missoula, MT (KGVO-AM News) - On June 12, 2026, a Montana Highway Patrol Trooper was alerted to a silver Volkswagen Jetta traveling approximately 100 miles per hour, weaving throughout traffic, making unsafe passing maneuvers, and appearing to be operated by an impaired driver around mile marker 138 of Interstate 90. The Jetta generated four calls for driving complaints starting at mile marker 174 of I-90.

While en route, the trooper observed a Maroon Jeep with smoke coming from it, discovering the suspect Jetta rear-ended the Jeep at mile marker 109 of I-90. The trooper observed substantial damage to the Jeep. The trooper contacted the driver of the Jetta, who was identified as 37-year-old Gregory Scanlon. The trooper immediately detected the odor of alcohol on Scanlon’s person. Scanlon's eyes were watery and bloodshot, he was unsteady on his feet, and his speech was slurred.

According to court documents, the trooper observed an open container of alcohol on the front passenger seat of the Jetta that appeared to be more than halfway consumed. The container was readily accessible to Scanlon. Scanlon admitted he consumed alcohol prior to leaving Bozeman three to four hours prior to the crash.

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Scanlon agreed to participate in the Standardized Field Sobriety Tests. Scanlon scored a six out of six for clues of impairment on the HGN test. Scanlon started the Walk and Turn test, and the trooper observed two clues of impairment. However, Scanlon terminated the test, stating, “I’m drunk”, and requested to provide a breath sample. Scanlon declined to perform the One Leg Stand Test.

Scanlon provided a breath test with a result of 0.335 BAC, which is over four times the legal limit. Scanlon was subsequently placed under arrest. Scanlon was transported to St. Patrick’s Hospital and read the Implied Consent Advisory. Scanlon consented to a blood draw, which was taken.

The trooper also contacted the driver of the Jeep. The driver said he was traveling in the left-hand lane at approximately 72 miles per hour when the Jetta approached from behind at “such a high rate of speed” that he had no time to react. He also said he suffered a headache due to the crash. The trooper observed that the collision was so severe that it rendered the Jeep disabled.

READ MORE: Missoula News - Crime Reports

Scanlon was arrested and transported to the Missoula County Detention Facility. He is currently being charged with felony DUI, felony criminal endangerment, and unlawful possession of an open alcoholic beverage container in a motor vehicle on the highway. His bond was set at $75,000.

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