Man Steals Truck After Being Kicked Out of a Missoula Bar

Missoula, MT (KGVO-AM News) - On May 19, 2025, a little after 12:30 a.m., a Missoula Police Department officer responded to a downtown bar regarding a disturbance. There, he made contact with 24-year-old Trison Gibson. Gibson appeared to be under the influence of alcohol. Gibson had been involved in an altercation and was ultimately trespassed from the bar.  

The officer noted that Gibson did not appear to be accompanied by anyone, so the officer warned him not to drive that night. Gibson responded, “I probably should not drive.” The officer then left the bar.  

At approximately 1:09 a.m., officers responded to a vehicle crash at the intersection of Flynn Lane and West Broadway. Upon arrival, the officers discovered a totaled blue GMC Sierra in the median. It appeared to have rolled.  

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Inside the Sierra, they located Gibson sitting in the rear passenger seat. He claimed that he was not driving and that two other individuals had fled the scene prior to law enforcement's arrival. The officers canvassed the area and did not locate these individuals.  

First responders had to force the Sierra’s rear door open with a tool so that Gibson could exit the vehicle. The officer became suspicious that two other people had managed to exit the Sierra and flee the scene, given the truck’s condition.  

Meanwhile, another officer responded to the bar and spoke with the bouncer. The bouncer stated that he witnessed Gibson fumbling with keys near a blue truck in a nearby parking lot. He watched Gibson for a while and then got called away on other duties. When he returned, Gibson and the truck were gone. 

READ MORE: Missoula News – Crime Reports 

Back at the crash scene, the officer spoke with a witness, Jane Doe, who was parked in the turn lane on Broadway Street. Doe stated that she was traveling eastbound on Broadway when she observed the Sierra traveling straight toward her. Doe attempted to turn away into a parking lot, and the Sierra appeared to turn toward her. Doe avoided a collision but believed the Sierra was going to hit her head on. 

Later that day, an officer spoke with the owner of the wrecked GMC Sierra. The owner is an employee at the bar. The owner said they don’t know Gibson and did not give him permission to take their truck. They said the truck was unlocked but they were still in possession of the keys, so they did not know how Gibson managed to start it. 

Gibson was placed under arrest and was transported to the Missoula County Detention Center. He is currently being charged with felony criminal endangerment, felony theft of property of a light vehicle, and DUI first offense. His bond was set at $5,000. 

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