Missoula Man Narrowly Escapes Being Hit by Aggressive Driver

Missoula, MT (KGVO-AM News) - On September 4, 2024, Missoula County Sheriff’s Office Deputies responded to a report of a male trying to run over another male with a vehicle on Riverside Drive. A deputy made contact with John Doe, the 911 complainant. Doe reported that he saw a Mercedez Sprinter van driving up and down his street and near his house.  

Doe went to confront the driver because he was acting suspiciously and had been stopped by his home for several minutes. The driver was an older white male who was immediately confrontational and became verbally aggressive. Doe asked the male to leave and began walking back towards his house. The driver then put the van in reverse and backed toward Doe, almost hitting him. Doe estimated the male reached a speed of 20 MPH.  

After the driver backed his van into Doe’s driveway, his vehicle was now facing Doe’s home. Doe continued to walk towards his house and the driver “floored it” and drove straight at Doe. Doe had to walk into the grass out of the way of the vehicle to avoid getting hit. Doe estimated the vehicle was traveling 25 MPH before coming to a stop and nearly hitting his garage. Doe went inside and called 911.  

The deputy observed tire marks in the driveway and turned up gravel indicating quick acceleration and gravel piles consistent with hard braking. A corporal believed he knew who the driver was. He believed the driver had other confrontations with neighbors and had been warned for disorderly conduct when previously contacted by law enforcement.

The driver was located nearby and identified as 73-year-old Terry Sullivan. Sullivan was upset about a missing trailer that allegedly had been in the neighborhood shared by Doe. The Corporal reminded Sullivan that the last time he had spoken to him, he advised the trailer had been removed by Missoula’s Junk Vehicle Program. Sullivan kept arguing about the trailer. The Corporal told Sullivan that he needed to stop harassing neighbors in the area. Sullivan said he had pulled into Doe’s driveway to ask about the trailer. 

READ MORE: Missoula News – Crime Reports 

Sullivan was placed under arrest and was transported to the Missoula County Detention Center. He is currently being charged with criminal endangerment.  

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