Routine Traffic Stop Leads to Missoula Man’s 5th DUI Arrest

Missoula, MT (KGVO-AM News) - On December 9, 2024, a Missoula Police Department Officer was patrolling with her K-9 partner, Lux, and was following a vehicle on I-90 with suspicious plates. Approximately one-half mile onto the interstate, the vehicle pulled over onto the roadside near mile marker 102 without being prompted by lights or sirens. After the vehicle pulled onto the roadside, the officer activated her lights and pulled in behind the vehicle. 

The officer approached the vehicle and made contact with the driver, who was later identified as 44-year-old Douglas Dustin. The officer immediately noticed Dustin had bloodshot and watery eyes and a strong odor of alcoholic beverage emanating from the car. Dustin’s speech was slurred, slow, and somewhat incoherent. 

Dustin explained that he pulled over because he could not see due to the officer’s lights, but the only lights active on her vehicle prior to him stopping were the headlights. When asked to provide proof of insurance, Dustin was unable to do so. 

Officer Conducts DUI Tests

The officer asked him to step out of the vehicle so she could administer the Standard Field Sobriety Tests. According to court documents, Dustin complied and stated he consumed two beers after he got off work. Dustin scored 16 out of 18 indicators of impairment. Then the officer asked Dustin to provide a preliminary breath test, which positively indicated that he consumed alcohol. 

Dustin was placed under arrest for DUI. The officer asked for consent to search Dustin’s vehicle, but Dustin denied consent. K-9 Lux was escorted to the vehicle and alerted her attention to the driver’s side door of the vehicle. The vehicle was towed to the Missoula Police Department, sealed with evidence tape, and is pending a search warrant.  

The officer read Dustin the Implied Consent Advisory and requested that he provide a blood sample. The Defendant refused. However, the officer applied for, and was granted, the warrant. The blood sample was collected by an EMT at St. Patrick’s Hospital and was sent to the crime lab for testing.  

READ MORE: Missoula News - Crime Reports

Officer Searches Dustin's Car

On December 10, 2024, Judge Marks granted a warrant to search Dustin’s car. In the car, the officer found multiple pieces of mail addressed to Dustin, an expired insurance card, and two baggies of methamphetamine. 

Dustin’s license is currently suspended, and he is required to have an ignition interlock device installed in his vehicle. The officer observed that no ignition interlock device was installed. 

Dustin has four prior convictions for DUI. He is currently being charged with felony DUI, felony criminal possession of dangerous drugs, restricted person operating without an ignition interlock, criminal possession of drug paraphernalia, driving with a suspended license, failure to carry proof of insurance third offense, and unlawful display of fictitious plates. His bond was set at $25,000. 

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