Drunk Driver Parks in the Middle of a Busy Missoula Road

Missoula, MT (KGVO-AM News) - On May 14, 2025, at approximately 4:24 AM, Missoula County Sheriff’s Office deputies were dispatched to a report of a vehicle, a red 2022 Dodge Charger, that was parked in the middle of Mullan Rd., near Fairbanks Rd. The caller provided the license plate number and stated the driver appeared to be passed out inside the vehicle and was blocking traffic.  

Deputies responded and made contact with the driver, 44-year-old Merle Wing. Wing was removed from the vehicle. Officers noted a strong odor of alcohol coming from Wing’s person and found his eyes were bloodshot and watery, his speech was slurred, and he was making odd and confusing statements. 

According to court documents, Wing admitted to having consumed alcohol earlier in the evening and stated he had purposely parked in the middle of the road because he believed someone would eventually find him there.  

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Wing agreed to participate in the Standardized Field Sobriety Tests. A deputy instructed Wing in the HGN test. Wing demonstrated difficulty, ultimately stating he could not complete the test because he was “missing a thyroid.”  

Next, the deputy attempted to administer the walk-and-turn and one-leg stand tests. Wing stated he had balance issues that had not yet been diagnosed, but he claimed a judge was going to diagnose him. Wing stated he wouldn’t be able to complete the tests even if he were sober.  

READ MORE: Missoula News – Crime Reports 

Wing also admitted that he was drunk and had drunk “enough to go to sleep.” The deputy then read Wing the preliminary alcohol screening advisory, and Wing agreed to take a breath test. The result showed a blood alcohol concentration (BAC) of 0.168. Wing was then placed under arrest and transported to St. Patrick’s Hospital, where he consented to a blood draw.  

Then Wing was transported to the Missoula County Detention Center. He has three prior DUI convictions and is currently being charged with felony DUI. 

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