Montana Mom Faces Charges After Drunk Driving With Child

Missoula, MT (KGVO-AM News) - At approximately 11:56 p.m. on March 5, 2025, Missoula County dispatch broadcast a moving violation reported from the 4-mile marker of Highway 93 North. The first caller indicated that a silver SUV had passed them while speeding and failing to maintain its lane. A second caller, who was driving west on Highway 10 toward the airport, reported that the suspect vehicle was swerving all over the road, had driven off the roadway twice, and was driving in the middle of the road. A third caller added that the suspect vehicle was erratic, stopping at green lights, and traveling at approximately 75 miles per hour on Reserve Street.  

A Montana Highway Patrol Trooper located the suspect vehicle speeding and initiated a traffic stop near the 90-mile marker of Highway 93 South. A Missoula County Sheriff’s Office Deputy also responded to the scene. The driver was identified as 21-year-old Kelly Matt. The Trooper made initial contact and asked her to exit the vehicle. Kelly appeared to be staggering and unsteady on her feet. She was slurring her speech, and the deputy could smell a strong odor of alcohol emanating from her, even from a distance.  

The deputy also observed a 4-year-old child, later confirmed to be Kelly’s son, lying unrestrained in the back seat of the vehicle. The deputy also noticed an open bottle of Jack Daniel's Honey on the front passenger floorboard, which was nearly empty.  

Get our free mobile app

Signs of Impairment: Kelly's Condition Revealed

The deputy had a brief conversation with Kelly and could smell the strong odor of an alcoholic beverage on her breath. Her eyes appeared watery, she had an emotionless, blank stare, and looked pale. According to court documents, Kelly claimed she had only consumed one beer before driving. 

The deputy informed Kelly that he would be conducting Standardized Field Sobriety Tests. The deputy observed 13/18 clues of impairment. The deputy read the Montana preliminary alcohol screening test advisory to Kelly, and she agreed to provide a breath sample. Kelly provided a breath sample using a PBT, which registered a blood alcohol concentration of 0.282. Kelly was then transported to the Missoula County Detention Facility, where she provided two breath samples using the Intoxilyzer, which registered a blood alcohol concentration of .220.  

READ MORE: Missoula News - Crime Reports

Other deputies contacted Kelly’s boyfriend, who took custody of their child. Kelly’s certified driver history indicates that she had a previous DUI conviction in the Missoula Municipal Court, and her license was suspended as of March 5th. The conviction occurred on February 17, 2026.  

Kelly is currently being charged with felony child criminal endangerment, driving with a suspended license, attempted obstructing a peace officer or other public servant, unlawful possession of an open alcoholic beverage container in a motor vehicle on a highway, and failure to have a child properly restrained. Her bond was set at $50,000. 

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