Impaired Missoula Driver Says Puppy Distracted Him

Missoula, MT (KGVO-AM News) - At approximately 12:43 a.m. on May 13, 2025, a Missoula County Sheriff’s Office deputy was on patrol on Highway 93N. He was driving southbound when he observed a vehicle approaching him. The deputy thought the vehicle was coming right at him and then saw it swerve across the road back into its appropriate lane. The deputy had moved over to the furthest right lane and turned around. The deputy watched as the vehicle left its lane multiple times, jerking back over to where it was supposed to be.  

After a few moments, the deputy also noticed that the vehicle had a completely obstructed license plate. The deputy activated his lights, and the vehicle swerved aggressively onto Indreland Rd. The deputy activated his siren. After approximately 45 seconds, the vehicle pulled over into a driveway. 

The deputy called for assistance and ordered the driver out of the vehicle. The deputy identified the driver as 46-year-old Stephen Hajek. Stephen explained that he was distracted while driving because of his new puppy that was in the vehicle.  

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The deputy smelled a strong odor of alcohol and observed that Stephen was swaying, and he had bloodshot, glassy, and watery eyes. Later, the deputy noticed that Stephen's pupils were pinpoint. Stephen admitted to consuming two alcoholic beverages earlier. 

The deputy administered Standardized Field Sobriety Tests and observed 12 out of 18 clues of impairment. The deputy read Stephen the Preliminary Alcohol Screening Test advisory. Stephen refused and was arrested. Stephen refused an implied consent testing request as well. The deputy applied for and was granted a search warrant for his blood. The blood draw was conducted at St. Patrick's Hospital. 

READ MORE: Missoula News - Crime Reports

According to court documents, Stephen was convicted of a felony DUI in the 11th Judicial District Court of Montana in March of 2020 and received a 13-month DOC sentence. His license was suspended for an implied consent refusal in 2019, and his driver's license had an ignition interlock requirement. 

The deputy's investigation found that, at the time of the stop, Stephen did not have insurance on the vehicle he was driving and was required to use an ignition interlock device. 

Stephen was placed under arrest and was transported to the Missoula County Detention Center. He is currently being charged with felony aggravated DUI (fifth offense), restricted person operating without ignition interlock, operating without liability insurance in effect, and failure to display license plates. His bond was set at $20,000. 

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