Traffic Stop Leads To Drug Charges For Missoula Driver

Missoula, MT (KGVO-AM News) - On November 12, 2025, a Missoula Police Department Officer observed a white Chrysler PT Cruiser driving on Russell Street, near S 6th St. W. The officer noticed the PT Cruiser was speeding up, frequently applying its brakes, and was drifting to the left and right of its lane, at one point crossing over the white line on the shoulder and the double yellow line with the driver’s side tires. The officer observed this driving behavior for several blocks before activating his emergency lights to conduct a traffic stop near Montana Street and Russell Street.  

The officer made contact with the driver, who identified herself as Erica Miller. The officer asked Miller for her license, registration, and proof of insurance. Miller stated she did not have her license or proof of insurance. While speaking with Miller, the officer noticed she had quick and jerky movements. The officer recognized this behavior as being consistent with drug impairment. 

The officer looked up Miller’s name and learned she was involved in four calls for service in the preceding two weeks. The officer asked Miller to participate in the Standardized Field Sobriety Tests. The officer instructed Miller and observed 8/18 indicators of impairment.   

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An Officer Notices Drug Paraphernalia

Another officer arrived on scene and looked through the windows of Miller’s vehicle. He observed three butane torches, several pieces of crumbled up tinfoil, and a tooter straw. The officer read Miller her Miranda warning and Miller agreed to speak. Miller stated she was a user of fentanyl and had used earlier in the day. Miller denied having narcotics in the vehicle but stated there was paraphernalia. Miller then gave consent to search her vehicle. 

The officer searched Miller’s vehicle, finding the previously observed tooter straw in the cup holder, a small zippered purse which contained numerous other tooter straws and several rubber containers. Within one container, the officer located five oval pills, with the imprint of “GG” and “258” on them. A search of drugs.com indicated the pills were Alprazolam, a schedule 4 drug.  

The officer also found a partial white pill, noting its condition was too deteriorated to determine what type of pill it was. The officer asked Miller about the pills and she stated the Alprazolam was old and that she had found the partial white pill on the ground and she believed it was an Oxy. 

READ MORE: Missoula News - Crime Reports

Miller was then read the Implied Consent Advisory and she agreed to provide a blood sample. Miller was transported to St. Patrick Hospital, where a blood draw was conducted. The officer noted it took several attempts as Miller had scar tissue around most vein access points due to a history of injecting drugs via syringe. Miller was then transported to the Missoula County Detention Center. 

Miller is currently being charged with felony criminal possession of dangerous drugs, DUI first offense, changing lanes when unsafe to do so, operating without liability insurance, and failure to have a driver’s license in possession. 

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