Missoula Police Arrest Man for His 4th DUI

Missoula, MT (KGVO-AM News) - On May 9, 2026, Missoula Police Department Officers were dispatched to an apartment on Caitlin Street and 3rd Street for a report that a woman was in and out of consciousness as part of a fire/EMS callout. The complainant advised that it was possibly an overdose. An officer responded, and it was quickly determined that no overdose occurred. Rather, a semi-conscious female was overly intoxicated and possibly mixing substances.  

There were two female occupants associated with the call. Prior to leaving the apartment, the officer was asked to identify a male walking down the apartment hallway. The male was identified by one of the females as her boyfriend, Owen. The officer approached Owen, who was carrying a Panera bag and a white grocery bag, appearing to contain beer in one hand while holding his car keys on a lanyard in the other hand.  

Before the officer could speak to Owen, Owen told another officer, “I just pulled up, man.” Owen pointed with the hand holding his car keys towards his vehicle. Owen was identified as 49-year-old Owen Cripe, who lives at the apartment where the medical issue occurred.  

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Signs of Intoxication Observed

The officer observed that Cripe was intoxicated. Cripe had a strong odor of alcohol on his breath, glassy eyes, and a blank stare. Cripe said he was drinking with his girlfriend at a bar across the street from the apartment complex. Cripe said he left the females at the bar while going to get food, referencing the Panera bag. The officer knows Panera is located on North Reserve Street, approximately 2.3 miles one way from the bar. 

Cripe said he was at the bar for less than an hour and “he and his girlfriend had two beers each.” The officer told Cripe he assumed he had just parked and walked up to his apartment before encountering police. Cripe confirmed that was correct. The officer determined he would conduct a DUI investigation.  

The officer asked Cripe to come down to the patrol vehicle. Cripe inquired, and the officer responded because Cripe was drinking and had a suspended license. Cripe then questioned the relevance, stating, “Well, what if I walked here,” despite confirming previously that he was driving his vehicle to get food. The officer located Cripe’s vehicle parked with several empty open containers of beer inside, which he could see in plain view.  

Evidence of Impairment and Denial

The officer further noted on his vehicle’s dash cam that at approximately 7:36 p.m., when he arrived at the medical issue, Cripe’s vehicle was not parked by the apartment, but the officer later located Cripe’s truck parked at that location on 4th Street West at 8:13 p.m. 

Cripe then began arguing with the officer and changed his story from driving to walking home. Cripe became uncooperative and was eventually detained to avoid his attempting to flee or fight.  

Then Cripe was given the Standardized Field Sobriety Tests. Cripe indicated six out of six clues of impairment on the HGN test. Due to Cripe’s medical issues with his knees and hips, he did not complete the Walk and Turn Test. Cripe began the One Leg Stand Test, but did not complete it. Cripe was read the PAST advisory and refused to provide a sample. Cripe was continually speaking over law enforcement while being read the advisory. Then Cripe was arrested for DUI.  

READ MORE: Missoula News - Crime Reports

Cripe was then read the Implied Consent and refused to provide a sample. An officer applied for and was granted a warrant for Cripe’s blood. Cripe was transported to St. Patrick’s Hospital, where a Med Tech obtained Cripe’s blood samples. Cripe was subsequently arrested and transported to jail. 

According to court documents, Cripe has three prior DUI convictions. He is currently being charged with felony DUI and driving with a suspended license.  

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