At around 8:45 p.m. on Friday, the Missoula Police Department took reports for two hit and run accidents that occurred within a short amount of time of each other. A vehicle allegedly struck two vehicles and a wall at the Thunderbird Motel, and another vehicle in the 1800 block of South 3rd Street East.

The vehicle was described as a new model white GMC Yukon and was located by Missoula Police. Police Public Information Officer Travis Welsh explains.

“The officers used the registration on the vehicle to find out where the registered owner lived and they found that vehicle at that location,” Welsh said. “They found the vehicle occupied by a lone female who described the driver as her 31-year-old boyfriend, Jermaine Bedford. Bedford soon joined the officers at the vehicle and he was informed that he was involved in an investigation that included hit and run offenses.”

Court documents indicate that Bedford was having difficulty answering the officer’s questions and had trouble keeping his balance. He stated he had not consumed alcohol or recreational drugs that day because he had been sick. An officer asked Bedford to take the standardized field sobriety tests.

“Based on the officer’s observations, Bedford was processed for DUI and placed under arrest,” Welsh said. “During the officer’s contact, they observed Bedford drop an item from his pocket to the ground and kick it under the patrol car. When they retrieved the item, they learned that it appeared to be an illegal substance and later confirmed that is was methamphetamine.”

The officer retrieved the baggie and fhe total package weight was 9 grams. Bedford is currently being charged with criminal possession of dangerous drugs and tampering with or fabricating physical evidence.

The offense of driving under the influence is still under investigation in this case.

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