Parking Lot Crash Leads to a Felony DUI Arrest for a Missoula Man
Missoula, MT (KGVO-AM News) - At approximately 11:42 a.m. on January 22, 2023, a Missoula Police Department officer received a report of an accident injury in the Montana Club parking lot on Brooks Street. The complainant stated a male in a white Ford Ranger had just rear-ended someone in the parking lot and was passed out in their vehicle.
The officer approached the driver’s side door of the white Ford Ranger and observed the driver inside, later identified as Marty Pavatea, was unconscious. The officer attempted to open the door to check on Pavatea, but the door handle was missing. The officer knocked on the side of the window, which woke Pavatea up.
A DUI Investigation Begins
Pavatea opened the driver’s side door and the officer could immediately smell the aroma of an alcoholic beverage. The officer asked Pavatea to step out so that medical personnel could check on him as a precaution. Medical personnel briefly spoke with Pavatea and deemed there was no need for medical assistance stating, “he's fine medically; he’s drunk.”
The officer asked Pavatea to produce his ID, registration, and insurance. Pavatea handed the officer his identification card and stated he did not have registration or insurance as the car was given to him by a friend. The officer also determined that Pavatea did not have a valid driver’s license at that time.
Inside the cab of the truck was Pavatea's small dog. Pavatea was asked twice if there was anyone that could come and grab his dog or else Animal Control would be called. Pavatea responded by telling officers to "f**k off." During the officer’s incident search to arrest, a dispensary bag of marijuana was found in the chest pocket of Pavatea's coat.
Court documents indicate a criminal history was run on Pavatea for prior DUI convictions and found three prior DUI convictions. Pavatea continued to be belligerent and asked where his dog was. The officer explained to Pavatea that Animal Control would respond to grab his dog. The officer offered Pavatea another chance to provide him with a friend or family member that could take custody of the dog, but Pavatea remained silent.
As the officer read Pavatea his Advisory, Pavatea continued to use profane and abusive language toward the officer. The officer finished reading his Advisory and asked Pavatea if he would provide a blood sample, to which Pavatea stated, “no.”
Time for a Blood Draw
The officer applied for and obtained a warrant for a blood draw. After arriving at St Patrick’s Hospital, Pavatea stated he needed help but became confrontational with officers and security as they tried to accommodate Pavatea's needs. Once he was placed into a wheelchair and wheeled into ER room 2, Pavatea continued to use abusive language toward hospital staff and officers.
Hospital staff tried their best to accommodate Pavatea's requests such as water and having to use the bathroom, but he continued to act belligerently. Pavatea stated they were not going to get blood from him. The officer tried to explain to Pavatea that there was a signed warrant for his blood, but he refused to listen. Pavatea was placed into the restraint chair and an ER Tech was able to successfully draw blood from Pavatea's right arm.
Pavatea is currently being charged with felony aggravated DUI, reckless driving, driving without a valid driver’s license, operating without liability insurance, operating a vehicle not properly registered, disorderly conduct, and criminal contempt.
On January 23, 2023, Pavatea made his initial appearance in Missoula Justice Court and his bail was set at $10,000.
The information in this article was obtained from sources that are publicly viewable.