Drunk Driver Crashes Stolen Car and Resists Arrest in Missoula

Missoula, MT (KGVO-AM News) - On January 17, 2023, at approximately 11:22 p.m., Missoula Police Department Officers were dispatched to the area of 700 West Spruce Street for a vehicle collision. Dispatch advised officers that the suspect vehicle involved was a white 2021 Dodge Ram Roadmaster 2500.

Within minutes of the crash, an officer arrived on the scene and stopped in the street to speak with a witness. The witness advised that the suspected driver of the vehicle had fled the scene and ran west on Toole Avenue toward California Street. The witness also stated that the male appeared to be wearing dark clothing and some sort of hat. The officer ended their conversation with the witness and began driving west.

Suspect is Located

After driving for a short distance, the officer observed a person approximately 200 yards away running into a gas station parking lot. The officer noticed the person was wearing all dark clothing and a hat, just as described by the witness.

The officer exited the patrol car and ordered the person, later identified as Emmanuel Abram, to stop walking away, but Abram ignored commands and continued walking. The officer immediately noticed that Abram had red and watery eyes, slurred speech, an unsteady gait, and the odor of an alcoholic beverage emitting from his breath and person.

The officer told Abram that he believed that Abram had been involved in the vehicle collision a few blocks down the road and was now attempting to run away from the scene. Abram said that he did nothing wrong and that he did not have a vehicle.

Officer Continues the Investigation

When the officer then asked Abram why he was in Missoula, he stated he had not been in Missoula. The officer told Abram that he was currently within the city limits of Missoula, and he responded by saying that he was currently in, "Whitefish...This is Whitefish Montana."

The officer again asked Abram how he came to be at the gas station and in the parking lot. Abram said that he “just dropped a friend off, over, down there." While making this statement, Abram pointed back toward the location of the vehicle collision.

The officer asked Abram what he dropped his friend off in and Abram replied, “my vehicle". Abram claimed that the vehicle was registered to his parents, but that was later proven to be not true.

Test Time

Court documents indicate Abram agreed to perform Standardized Field Sobriety Tests and he exhibited 15 out of 18 clues of impairment. Abram also agreed to provide a Preliminary Breath Test and his result was .252, which is over three times the legal limit.

Officers attempted to place Abram under arrest, but Abram resisted multiple times. Eventually, Abram was placed into handcuffs and detained in a patrol vehicle.

Officers contacted the registered owner of the vehicle and she said that a spare key was left inside of the vehicle, and it had been left unlocked. The officer asked the owner if anyone had her permission to be in possession of her van and she said no.

Abram is currently being charged with felony theft, DUI first offense, and resisting arrest.

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