Man Flees From Missoula Deputies, Arrested for His 5th DUI

Missoula, MT (KGVO-AM News) - On April 11, 2023, at approximately 8:13 p.m., Missoula County Sheriff’s Office Deputies responded to a disturbance at a residence. The complainant reported that her boyfriend, 35-year-old Eric Williams, came home intoxicated and punched a hole in a wall. The complainant stated that Williams was currently attempting to leave the residence on his motorcycle, but was struggling to do so based on his level of intoxication.  

When deputies arrived, they observed Williams standing next to a green Kawasaki dirt bike about a block away from the residence. Williams swayed back and forth. Deputies also noticed that he was only wearing one cowboy boot and that the other boot was lying in the street nearby. Williams stumbled as he attempted to put the other boot on his foot. 

A deputy approached Williams and announced who he was. Williams swung his leg over the motorcycle and almost fell to the ground. As the deputy approached, Williams drove away. The other deputy activated the overhead lights of his patrol vehicle, but Williams sped up and drove around him. According to court documents, the deputies did not pursue Williams due to his level of intoxication and the fact that he was on a motorcycle. 

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During the investigation, the deputy learned that Williams went to Deano’s Travel Plaza. As the deputies were responding, they learned that Williams left Deano’s and drove his motorcycle to a parking lot off Flynn Lane and Broadway Street. The Deputies found Williams in the parking lot. When Williams saw the deputies, he tried to start his motorcycle, but a deputy pushed him to the ground and took him into custody. 

The deputy could smell the odor of alcohol coming from Williams. Williams refused to perform Standardized Field Sobriety Tests and also refused to provide a breath sample. A deputy read Williams Implied Consent and he consented to a blood draw. A deputy transported Williams to the hospital for a blood draw and then took him to jail. The deputy confirmed that Williams has four prior DUI convictions on his driving record. 

Williams is currently being charged with felony DUI, which is a fourth or subsequent offense, and fleeing from a peace officer. 

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