Missoula Drunk Driver Had a Child in the Car and a .37 BrAC

Missoula, MT (KGVO-AM News) - On March 21, 2026, a Missoula County Sheriff's Office Deputy was traveling northbound on Reserve Street and observed a grey Volkswagen Jetta in front of him swerve toward a trailer in the lane next to it. Then they came to a stop at the intersection of Reserve Street and Expressway. As the stoplight turned green, the Jetta was delayed responding to the light changing green.  

The Jetta turned onto Expressway, and the Deputy followed. As they traveled on Expressway, the Deputy observed that the Jetta was failing to maintain its lane and repeatedly veered into the bike lane. The Deputy then observed that the Jetta’s registration had expired and executed a traffic stop.  

The Deputy approached the Jetta and observed a male driver, later identified as 37-year-old Brent MacAlister, and a young girl in the back seat. The Deputy also observed that MacAlister had a dazed expression on his face and an open marijuana dispensary bag sitting next to him. The Deputy observed that MacAlister’s speech was heavily slurred when he spoke.  

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Unraveling Responses: The Driver's Condition

The Deputy asked if MacAlister had been drinking, and MacAlister responded, “No. Unfortunately.” The Deputy then asked where MacAlister was coming from, and he replied “Uh, I guess shopping.” MacAlister then tried to tell something to the Deputy, but he was speaking without finishing his sentences.  

At this point, it was very clear to the Deputy that MacAlister was under the influence of alcohol and/or drugs. The Deputy asked MacAlister if he had consumed marijuana, and MacAlister said he had not. The Deputy then asked MacAlister whether he had consumed any medication, and MacAlister stated, “Like six pills.” 

Based on the totality of the circumstances, the Deputy instructed MacAlister to turn off his vehicle to conduct a DUI investigation. The Deputy instructed MacAlister to step to the front of his patrol vehicle to conduct a pat search. While doing so, the Deputy observed a strong odor of alcohol emanating from MacAlister’s person. The Deputy again asked whether MacAlister had consumed anything, and he answered “Uh, to drink, yes, I have” and indicated that he had consumed approximately 12-ounces of Everclear.  

READ MORE: Missoula News – Crime Reports 

Field Sobriety Tests: The Evidence of Impairment

The Deputy began administering the Standard Field Sobriety Tests and observed 18 out of 18 possible clues of impairment. The Deputy read MacAlister the Montana Implied Consent Advisory, and MacAlister submitted to a preliminary breath test, which issued a result of 0.37 BrAC, which is over four times the legal limit.  

Then MacAlister was placed under arrest. The Deputy requested that MacAlister provide a blood sample, and MacAlister refused. A search warrant was obtained, and a sample of MacAlister’s blood was taken at St. Patrick’s Hospital. Due to MacAlister’s extremely high BAC, he was medically cleared prior to being booked into jail. 

MacAlister is currently being charged with felony child criminal endangerment and aggravated DUI, first offense. 

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