Intoxicated Driver Narrowly Avoids Crash With Elderly Woman

Missoula, MT (KGVO-AM News) - On October 20, 2025, a Missoula County Sheriff’s Office Deputy was dispatched to the Bonner area for a report of an erratic driver. Dispatch advised they had received multiple 911 calls regarding a black Nissan Versa driving recklessly and failing to maintain its lane. One caller reported that he believed the driver of the Versa was intoxicated as he spoke to him on I-90, when the vehicle was stopped in the roadway.  

He stated the vehicle had initially been stopped in the roadway before beginning to swerve erratically. He last saw the vehicle exit I-90 and travel eastbound on Highway 200 E. Shortly after, another caller called dispatch to report the same vehicle, advising that it was near Milltown State Park and continually slamming on its brakes.  

Dispatch noted that the vehicle matched the description of a hit-and-run suspect vehicle from earlier in the day where 28-year-old Silas HighElk reportedly backed into a parked car while leaving a disturbance. The deputy drove eastbound on Highway 200 toward Fontaine Lane and observed the Versa pull out from a turnout.  

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The Versa Continued to Drive Dangerously on the Highway 

The Versa cut off a small silver pickup truck, forcing the truck to stop abruptly in the roadway. The Versa crossed both lanes of traffic, drove over the grass shoulder, and continued onto the paved bicycle path on the south side of Highway 200 E.  

The Versa then swerved back northbound, crossed the grass median and eastbound lane, and entered the westbound lane, driving in the wrong direction directly toward a maroon Honda Pilot. The Honda Pilot broke hard and swerved off the roadway into the TruGreen parking lot, narrowly avoiding a head-on collision.  

At this time, the deputy activated his overhead lights. The Versa continued driving toward the deputy in the westbound lane for a brief moment before pulling into the TruGreen parking lot as well.  

She Avoided the Crash “By the Grace of God” 

Another deputy contacted the driver of the Pilot, an 84-year-old woman, who said a collision would have likely killed or seriously injured her. She explained that she was only able to avoid the crash “by the grace of God and a miracle.”  

The deputy exited his patrol vehicle and contacted the driver of the Versa, who was identified as HighElk. HighElk appeared disheveled and had a strong odor of an alcoholic beverage. The deputy escorted HighElk to the front of the patrol vehicle, assisting him as he was unsteady on his feet. His clothing were disheveled and his eyes were bloodshot and watery. 

The deputy asked whether he wished to perform Standardized Field Sobriety Tests or go directly to jail. HighElk stared blankly at the deputy. The deputy read HighElk the Montana Implied Consent Advisory, and he consented to a blood draw, which was administered.  

READ MORE: Missoula News – Crime Reports 

HighElk was arrested and transported to the Missoula County Detention Facility. According to court documents, he has a pending DUI charge in the State of Washington and the State recommended that bond be set in the amount of $15,000 pending further order. 

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