
Unconscious Driver is Arrested for His 5th DUI in Missoula
Missoula, MT (KGVO-AM News) - On December 20, 2024, a Missoula Police Department Officer was dispatched to the 700 block of Cooper St for a male who was passed out behind the steering wheel of a vehicle with no license plates on it. The male driver, Randall Orton, was unconscious and his foot was on the accelerator.
When the officer arrived, he saw that the vehicle was still running and it sounded like the engine was at a high RPM. The officer slowly positioned his patrol vehicle so that the push bar was making contact with the front bumper of the vehicle. He did this so that Orton would not startle awake a speed away.
Another officer was able to wake Orton up. Upon doing so, Orton immediately pressed the accelerator further. Orton was ordered to drop a knife that was on his lap and to turn the vehicle off, which he did.
Once Orton was outside of the vehicle, the officer conducted a pat search to ensure that there were no additional weapons on his person. There was an open backpack on the floorboard of the driver’s seat. Inside this open backpack was an open bottle of vodka.
Then the Missoula Fire Department arrived on scene to evaluate Orton’s medical state. After their evaluation, they determined that Orton was not in a medical crisis. Orton refused further medical treatment and transport to the hospital.
The officer noticed that Orton was wearing dirty clothes and the front of his shirt had what appeared to be dried vomit on it. Orton stated that this was oatmeal. The officer informed Orton that he suspected him of being in physical control of a motor vehicle while under the influence of alcohol and requested that he undergo the standardized field sobriety test. Orton consented and displayed 13 out of 18 indicators of impairment.
The officer noted that Orton’s speech was slurred, he was hard to understand, and he struggled with maintaining his balance. According to court documents, Orton stated that he had been drinking, but not much. The officer asked him how long ago he had his last drink, and Orton stated about an hour ago.
READ MORE: Missoula News – Crime Reports
Orton declined a Preliminary Breath Test and refused a blood test. Officers obtained a search warrant to seize Orton’s blood and subsequently transported him to St. Patrick’s Hospital for a blood draw. Police reports further indicate that Orton’s license was suspended at the time of his arrest.
In Orton’s vehicle, an officer noticed multiple unopened beer cans, marijuana, a glass smoking pipe, and two bottles of vodka. One of the bottles was partially empty, and the other appeared full.
Orton is currently being charged with felony DUI. He has four prior DUI convictions.
The information in this article was obtained from sources that are publicly viewable.
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