Drunk Driver Steals Car and Gets in an Accident in Missoula

Missoula, MT (KGVO-AM News) - At approximately 5:05 p.m. on April 22, 2025, a Missoula Police Department Officer responded to the area of 1003 E. Broadway for a report of a stolen vehicle. A 911 caller reported that she had been shopping inside Albertsons and, as she exited, she saw her car leaving the parking lot.  

While the officer was en route, multiple callers reported to dispatch that the vehicle had collided with another car at the intersection of Front and Madison St. The driver was described as a Native American male with a blue jacket and jeans that were falling down. The officer noticed that the vehicle had visible front-end damage.  

A witness reported that the vehicle had exited the Missoula Technology parking lot, failed to stop, collided with another vehicle, and continued driving westbound on East Broadway. They said the vehicle was driving erratically and going in and out of the middle of the road. Other witnesses reported the vehicle driving erratically and travelling at speeds in excess of 65 miles per hour.  

At 5:22 p.m., an officer observed a Native American male, later identified as 38-year-old Damien NoRunner, carrying a handful of clothes and speed walking in Caras Park, which was near the last reported location of the driver. NoRunner was wearing pants that were hanging down to his mid-thighs. One of the articles of clothing NoRunner was carrying was a blue Adidas sweater. Officers had one of the witnesses drive by and view NoRunner. The witness reported being 95% certain that NoRunner had been driving the vehicle.  

Another officer administered standardized field sobriety tests on NoRunner and observed four of six standardized clues on the horizontal gaze nystagmus test, seven of eight on the walk and turn test, and three of four on the one-legged stand test.  

READ MORE: Missoula News – Crime Reports 

NoRunner agreed to provide a preliminary breath sample, which showed a breath alcohol result of .247. Then NoRunner was read the Implied Consent Advisory and agreed to provide an Intoxilyzer breath sample, which showed a breath alcohol concentration of .227. 

NoRunner was placed under arrest and was transported to the Missoula County Detention Center. He is currently being charged with felony theft, felony criminal endangerment, and aggravated DUI first offense. His bond was set at $10,000. 

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