Missoula Woman Crashes Into Ditch, Claims Someone Stole Her Car

Missoula, MT (KGVO-AM News) - On October 31, 2025, a Missoula County Sheriff’s Office Deputy responded to a residence in the 20000 block of Houle Creek Court for a report of a vehicle that had been stolen and wrecked shortly after. When the deputy arrived on scene, he located a blue Subaru WRX that had crashed into the ditch on the south side of the road. The vehicle had damage to the front and driver’s side and was parked against a barbed wire fence. 

After locating the vehicle, the deputy was able to contact the reporting party, 21-year-old Taryn Leavitt. Leavitt described that her blue Subaru had been parked in her driveway, and the last time she had seen it was roughly 5:30 p.m. that night. Leavitt stated that she walked outside to leave, and her car was gone and had now crashed into the ditch. Leavitt stated that her keys were in the house with her all night, and she did not know how someone would have stolen the car. Leavitt also stated that her boyfriend’s 10-year-old son, C.F., was with her when she came outside.

Leavitt’s statements regarding her vehicle being stolen did not make sense to the deputy, who observed that Leavitt had become antsy while speaking to the law enforcement officers. While being questioned, it became apparent to the deputy that Leavitt was having a hard time remembering and describing any of the events that had occurred within the last few hours of her night.  

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The Deputy Started a DUI Investigation

The deputy asked Leavitt if she had consumed any prescriptions or intoxicants that day, and Leavitt stated that she had smoked marijuana around 2:00 p.m. but had not taken anything since. The deputy explained to Leavitt that he believed she may have been the one driving her vehicle, and that she was potentially under the influence while doing it.  

A subsequent DUI investigation occurred, which resulted in a deputy believing he had probable cause to charge Leavitt with DUI. After observing several indicators of impairment, the deputy asked Leavitt if she would be willing to walk down to her vehicle.

During the investigation, the deputy learned that C.F. was in the vehicle with Leavitt when she crashed, and that C.F. could tell the deputy what happened. C.F. explained to the deputy that prior to leaving the house, Leavitt was stressed out because she believed they were going to be late to the Field of Screams.  

READ MORE: Missoula News - Crime Reports

C.F. told the deputy that Leavitt attempted to leave the house in her vehicle, but lost control and crashed into the ditch. C.F. said they had to crawl out the window to exit the vehicle. 

As the deputy was walking Leavitt to the back of his patrol vehicle, Leavitt told the deputy she thought drugs were inside her purse. Inside Leavitt’s purse, the deputy located cocaine and ketamine. Leavitt is currently being charged with two counts of felony criminal possession of dangerous drugs.  

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