Missoula Man Charged With Vehicular Homicide While Under the Influence
At around 11:30 p.m. on October 20, 2021, a Missoula Police officer was on patrol near Orange Street and West Broadway when he observed a vehicle driving at a high rate of speed. The officer estimated the vehicle to be traveling approximately 60 to 70 miles per hour in a 25 mile per hour zone. Police Public Information Officer Lydia Arnold explains.
“The officer activated their overhead lights and attempted to flip around to catch up to the vehicle,” Arnold said. “The officer lost sight of the vehicle in the downtown area. A short time later, dispatch advised officers a person had called 911 to report a vehicle and driving behavior matching the same description the officer had seen earlier. Officers located the vehicle, which was travelling in the downtown area at a high rate of speed, putting multiple innocent drivers and pedestrians at risk due to the high rate of speed, traffic violations, and wrong way driving.”
Eventually, the vehicle stopped at the Conoco gas station located on East Broadway. As the officer exited the vehicle to make contact with the driver, he observed a second individual in the front passenger seat. As he began to approach the vehicle, the vehicle sped away through the parking lot.
“The officer pursued the fleeing suspect vehicle,” Arnold said. “The vehicle went down multiple downtown area streets. The driver lost control of the vehicle. The vehicle hit parked cars and spun out several times before coming to a stop. The officer observed the driver get out of the vehicle and attempt to start to run away. The officer observed indicators of the driver being hurt. As the officer passed the vehicle, he observed a passenger in the seat who was not moving.”
The vehicle fishtailed, lost control, and struck a parked vehicle on the passenger side of the suspect vehicle. The suspect vehicle was damaged heavily, especially on the passenger side of the vehicle.
Medical was requested and additional officers on scene tended to the male passenger. The original pursuing officer began chasing the male driver on foot, giving commands for the male to get on the ground.
“The officer was able to catch the driver who failed to comply with officer’s commands,” Arnold said. “The driver, 20-year-old Kamari Parks, was taken into custody and medical was requested due to the extent of the injuries Parks had from the accident. The passenger was taken to a hospital and later pronounced deceased.”
The passenger male had just turned 17-years-old in July and he died from his injuries early in the morning of October 21, 2021.
Court documents indicate Parks’ license status was suspended and he is on felony probation for the offense of criminal endangerment. While in contact with Parks, the officer observed a strong odor or alcoholic beverage emanating from his person.
Parks is currently being charged with vehicular homicide while under the influence, criminal endangerment, fleeing from or eluding a peace officer resulting in serious bodily injury or death, and driving with a suspended license.