Missoula Man With a .246 BAC Drove Into Oncoming Traffic

Missoula, MT (KGVO-AM News) - On July 7, 2024, at around 6:05 PM, Missoula Police Department Officers were approaching the Wyoming St and S. Catlin St intersection when they noticed a silver Toyota Tacoma approaching the intersection from the other direction. The Tacoma took a wide turn on Catlin and took up most of the opposing lane of traffic.  

The officers followed and observed the Tacoma continuing to drive predominantly on the wrong side of the road, seemingly only correcting itself due to oncoming traffic. Further, the Tacoma drove at unusually low speeds, approximately 15-20 MPH. 

Officers initiated a traffic stop as the Tacoma was pulling into the Town and County Lounge parking lot. Upon initial contact, the officer observed the driver to have slurred speech and difficulty making complete sentences. The driver, identified as 50-year-old Frederick Gray, was the only individual in the vehicle.  

Officers initiated a DUI investigation. Gray, after exiting the vehicle, smelled of alcohol. Gray consented to standardized field sobriety testing and exhibited 16 out of 18 clues of impairment. The preliminary breath test measured Gray’s BAC at .232. Gray then consented to an intoxilizer test, which measured his BAC to be .246, three times the legal limit.

According to court documents, Gray has a June 7, 2023, DUI per se conviction out of Missoula Municipal Court. He was originally cited for a DUI-1st. Presumably, the arresting officer did not have complete access to Gray’s out-of-state convictions at the time.  

READ MORE: Missoula News – Crime Reports 

Gray has two DUI convictions out of Santa Clarita Valley and a “DRIV UN INFL LIQ” conviction out of Lahaina. Although this would be a 5th DUI, Gray is not eligible for Montana’s DUI 5th sentencing because he has not been sentenced for a 4th DUI within Montana yet. 

Gray was placed under arrest and was transported to the Missoula County Detention Center. He is currently being charged with felony DUI, fourth offense. 

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