Bozeman Man Banned from Yellowstone After DUI in the Park

It’s only in Montana that you find such a story: a Bozeman man is driving drunk in Yellowstone National Park when he’s popped by law enforcement. And instead of merely hitting him with the usual fine and six months in jail, they tell him he can’t step foot th Park for five years. Forget a suspension of his license, this guy got grounded.

The Case That Went Federal

64-year-old Andres Sanchez Yobal confessed to driving with a blood alcohol level over .08 while cruising around the park with no valid license. He got five years of probation and no visits to Yellowstone until that probation is up. In other words, he’s only going to experience the park by watching the National Geographic channel.

Montana vs. Federal: Big Difference

Had it happened inside Bozeman city limits, he may have skated by with a night in jail, a fine, and a strike on his record. Montana’s first-time DUI repercussions are notoriously light compared to other states. Anywhere from 24 hours to six months in jail and a $600–$1,000 fine. But Yellowstone is federal land, and federal law is not playing games. Six months in jail, thousands in fines, years of probation, and yes, even a ban from the park itself.

The Park Ban: The Real Stinger

Let’s face it: jail time is one thing to most Montanans. But telling a Bozeman guy to stay out of Yellowstone for five years? That’s cruel and unusual punishment. It’s like getting thrown out of Montana’s Disneyland. Or getting kicked out of a Chuckie Cheese.

In Hot Water

It’s a reminder that Montana may be pretty lenient when it comes to DUIs, but once you’re inside the park, it’s an entirely different story. The feds aren’t content to just take your keys or your license. So if you’re thinking of hitting Yellowstone, maybe keep the road beers out of the driver’s seat.