Just before 10:00 a.m. on Saturday, a Missoula Police Officer observed a stolen vehicle travelling eastbound on Broadway Street. When the officer initiated a traffic stop, the vehicle began accelerating away and reached speeds of 70 miles per hour. Police Public Information Officer Travis Welsh explains.

“The vehicle was described as a gold Honda Accord and it was occupied by one person, the driver,” Welsh said. “The officer followed the vehicle. At that point, the vehicle began to accelerate away from the officer. The officer began to pursue the vehicle that reached the upper end of Duncan Drive, in a cul-de-sac. At that point, the vehicle attempted to make some type of maneuver, possibly to come back the other direction, when it actually rolled.”

Court documents indicate the suspect vehicle fishtailed badly and rolled onto its roof. The suspect immediately crawled out of the driver’s side window and fled the scene. The officer looked inside the vehicle and noticed what appeared to be aluminum cans of alcoholic beverages in the front area.

“A short time later, 911 received a call from a residence in the 900 block of Rattlesnake Run,” Welsh said. “They described a male knocking on windows trying to gain entry. The officers responded to that location and arrested 21-year-old Dean Madplume. The original pursuing officer recognized Madplume as the driver from the earlier stolen vehicle.”

Madplume admitted that he consumed about a liter of vodka, but denied any knowledge or involvement in the vehicle theft. He was belligerent and claimed there was another male who was driving at the time of the crash. Madplume was then transported to the ER. After a blood draw and medical clearance, Madplume was taken to jail.

Madplume is currently being charged with felony theft, DUI, reckless driving, driving while suspended, and feeling from or eluding a peace officer.

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