Missoula Man Loses Tire During Police Pursuit, Continues to Flee

Missoula, MT (KGVO-AM News) - On September 23, 2024, at approximately 12:16 a.m., a Missoula County Sheriff’s Office Deputy was heading to Wagon Wheel Trailer Park for a report of gunshots heard by residents in the area. As the deputy was driving westbound on Kona Ranch Road, dispatch told him a second caller stated they saw a vehicle driving away after hearing the shots. 

The deputy saw the vehicle's bright headlights were on as it passed by and he stopped it for the violation. The deputy contacted the driver who was identified as 18-year-old Teigen Hettick. Teigen said he was picking up his friend, Tyrin Killsnight, from South Road. The deputy asked Teigen if he had any knowledge of the shots that were reported and he denied knowing about it. 

According to the deputy, Teigen's eyes appeared bloodshot and watery, and his movements seemed slowed and deliberate. The deputy asked him if he had taken any drugs or alcohol, and he said no. After gathering Teigen’s documents, the deputy went back to his car. Dispatch said Teigen’s driver’s license status was “Probationary” and his conditions for driving were “Essential driving only.” Teigen showed to be on probation and so did his passenger, Tyrin. 

A probation officer requested that the deputy search Teigen and Tyrin as well as the car they were in. According to court documents, she said Tyrin was involved in prior incidents with a firearm and had been previously in trouble for shooting within the city of Missoula. The affiant handled both Teigen and Tyrin’s underlying actions and is aware that they are specifically not permitted to have contact with each other and not permitted to use or possess alcohol.  

Other deputies responded and asked Tyrin to exit the vehicle. As Tyrin was attempting to unlock the door, the deputy saw Teigen put the car in drive, and he began driving away. The deputies got back in their patrol cars and gave chase.  

Several Vehicles are Forced Off the Roadway 

During the pursuit, Teigen turned West onto Mullan Rd. When he attempted to turn North onto Deschamps Lane, he drove into a berm which caused the vehicle to spin out into a ditch and lose the back left tire. While on Deschamps Lane, the vehicle forced two cars to abruptly pull off the roadway. The vehicle was traveling around 75 mph with one wheel on a rim. The vehicle lost control several times, but continued northbound.  

At the intersection with Highway 93N, the driver drove through a red light. Just North of the Wye, the driver lost control of the vehicle at a high rate of speed. This forced an oncoming vehicle to abruptly drive off the roadway. After cutting off a semi-truck, the driver turned onto the Eastbound I-90 on ramp and lost control again but continued.  

Ultimately, while negotiating the right curve on the on-ramp, the driver went off the roadway on the left side, struck the guard rail, then re-entered the roadway. The driver then continued off the roadway on the right side, struck a guardrail end, and landed in the ditch. Deputies exited their patrol cars, pointed my firearm at the occupants, and began giving commands for them to show their hands. While exiting the vehicle, Tyrin stated that his arm was broken. The officers took Teigan and Tyrin into custody. 

READ MORE: Missoula News – Crime Reports 

Both are Taken to the Hospital 

Missoula medical units were called to respond. As Teigen was being evaluated by medics on scene, he puked on a firefighter. A deputy who witnessed the event said the vomit smelled very strongly of an alcoholic beverage. Teigen and Tyrin were transported via ambulance to the St. Patrick Hospital.  

Once in the ER, the deputy could smell the odor of an alcoholic beverage coming from Teigen’s person. Teigen also exhibited mood swings going from calm and collected to angry and antagonistic, flipping off hospital staff and using profane language at them. At several points, hospital staff had to close their room doors and curtains to keep them from disturbing other patients in the ER.  

Teigen is currently being charged with felony criminal endangerment, felony fleeing from a peace officer, DUI second offense, and violation of restrictions on probationary driver's license. His bond was set at $500,000. Tyrin is currently being charged with felony probation violation. 

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