Missoula, MT (KGVO-AM News) - On March 20, 2023, at approximately 4:38 a.m., a Missoula Police Department officer responded to a casino on Brooks Street for a routine bar check. Upon arrival, he spoke with an employee who was standing outside near the driver’s side of a gray Toyota Prius. The employee was pounding on the window of the Prius. He stated the occupants were both passed out and unresponsive.  

The officer determined the Prius was occupied by 35-year-old Daniel Weiser and a female passenger. Both were slumped over in their respective seats. After the officer banged loudly, multiple times, on the passenger window, Weiser woke up. He began patting the female and she woke up as well. They both told the officer that they were ok.  

According to court documents, the officer looked inside the Prius and observed an orange hypodermic needle cap on the dashboard. Weiser immediately turned the Prius on, grabbed the steering wheel, and pressed down on the throttle. However, the Prius did not move because it seemed to be in “park.” Weiser tried to shift the vehicle out of park and again pressed down on the throttle, but it still did not move. The officer noted that Weiser was obviously trying to leave the scene. 

The officer walked around to the driver’s side of the vehicle and asked Weiser what was going on. Weiser responded by looking down and mumbling. He then stated, “I pulled over to get some gas.” The officer found this odd because they were not at a gas station and not in close proximity to one. At this point, the officer also observed a hypodermic needle and multiple pieces of tinfoil on the floorboard near Weiser’s feet.  

Multiple other officers arrived on the scene and ordered Weiser out of the vehicle, but he did not comply. According to the officer, Weiser was defiant and ignored the commands given to him. Weiser said, “I’m getting out of the city, okay? I’m not leaving this car. You guys want to chase me? Then go ahead.” The officer decided to place “stop sticks” behind Weiser’s tires to prevent him from leaving. After some time had passed and officers had drawn their duty weapons due to furtive movements made by Weiser, Weiser finally exited the vehicle and was taken into custody. 

An officer read Weiser implied consent, and Weiser agreed to provide a blood sample. After staff at St. Patrick Hospital completed a blood draw, Weiser was remanded to jail. 

Meanwhile, another officer advised the female of her rights after she exited the Prius. She explained that she and Weiser recently traveled to Spokane, where they purchased fentanyl and then returned to Missoula.  

The officer applied for and was granted a search warrant for the Prius. Inside the Prius, on the driver’s side of the vehicle, the officer located three uncapped hypodermic needles and 86 suspected fentanyl pills. He located five additional M 30 pills in the dashboard storage compartment. On the passenger side, he located 35 M 30 pills and a glass bottle labeled Naloxone HCL, containing a clear liquid. 

Weiser is currently being charged with felony criminal possession of dangerous drugs, obstructing a peace officer, and criminal possession of drug paraphernalia. The female was charged with obstructing a peace officer and criminal possession of drug paraphernalia, which are both misdemeanor offenses. 

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

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