Police Catch Habitual Offender In Missoula Hit-and-run Case

Missoula, MT (KGVO-AM News) - At approximately 7:43 p.m. on June 13, 2025, a Missoula Police Department officer was dispatched to a possible hit and run accident in the 7100 block of Uncle Robert Ln. The complainant told dispatch that he witnessed a red Nissan X-Terra back into another vehicle. He said that the victim vehicle may not have any damage because the suspect vehicle had backed into their hitch.  

He said that he couldn't tell who got out of the driver's seat, but explained that there was a black male and a white male in the car. He said that he had called a little bit earlier in the evening to report a drunk driver. He said that these same two males were obviously intoxicated and slurring their speech when he watched the white male drive them away from the apartment complex earlier. 

The officer arrived and noticed a vehicle parked near him with a piece of fender lying next to it. The vehicle was a Chevrolet Trailblazer, and it had a hitch on it. The officer looked at the vehicle and noticed that there was no damage to it. 

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The Officer Locates the Suspect 

Then the officer saw a red Nissan X-Terra turn onto Uncle Robert Ln. This vehicle had the same license plate as the one the complainant had provided. The officer looked at the driver and saw that it was a single white male occupant. The officer yelled out to the driver and told him that he needed to pull over. The officer explained that this vehicle was involved in a potential hit-and-run accident and that he needed to speak with him.  

The male identified himself as 26-year-old Daven Woodard. Daven said that he wasn't driving the vehicle earlier and was unaware of a hit and run. The officer looked at his Nissan and noticed a small piece of a plastic fender was missing from his front driver's wheel well. While the officer spoke with Daven, he noticed a strong odor of an alcoholic beverage coming from his person. The officer also heard a slurred speech and noticed that Daven had watery eyes. 

READ MORE: Missoula News – Crime Reports 

A DUI Investigation is Conducted 

The officer administered standardized field sobriety tests and observed 11 of 18 clues of impairment. The officer administered a preliminary breath alcohol test, which showed a breath alcohol concentration higher than .08. Daven consented to an implied consent blood draw, which was performed. 

While looking at his driver's license return, the officer saw that Daven had three DUI convictions, and he was currently a revoked habitual traffic offender. Daven was arrested and transported to the Missoula County Detention Center. He is currently being charged with felony DUI and habitual traffic offender operating a motor vehicle. His bond was set at $10,000. 

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