Hwy. 93 drunk driving incident heard in court
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A former Wolf Point man convicted of felony criminal endangerment had his imposition of sentencing deferred for three years for a charge stemming from a drunken driving incident where he went on a high-speed drive between Polson and Pablo on U.S. Highway 93.
On Dec. 20, Chris Allen Myrick, 36, pled guilty during a change of plea hearing at District Court in Polson to a drunken driving incident. According to court records, on Aug. 31, 2018, multiple motorists reported witnessing a white Chevy Avalanche traveling southbound out of Polson on U. S. Highway 93 at speeds up to 100 mph.
District Judge Deborah “Kim” Christopher ordered Myrick to pay restitution of $5,021.90. Myrick voluntarily obtained a chemical dependency evaluation that recommended outpatient treatment. He began treatment after the evaluation. The victims in the incident were in support of the terms of the plea agreement.
During the incident, one southbound motorist in a minivan was rear-ended by the Avalanche, forcing it off the road. The minivan continued to “flip several times” at the 45 mph zone coming into Pablo.
Several other witnesses reported to the Montana Highway Patrol that the Avalanche was traveling “way over” the speed limit and swerving around other vehicles, nearly hitting them. Another witness claimed the Avalanche came by her so closely and at such a fast speed that it “shook” her vehicle. This witness also reported driving through debris left when the Avalanche hit the minivan.
At least two other motorists reported seeing the Avalanche with its hood up after it rear-ended the minivan and seeing someone get out of the Avalanche and shut the hood. The Avalanche then left the scene.
A Flathead Tribal Police officer located the suspected Avalanche with the matching damage and identified the driver as Myrick. Myrick admitted he was drunk. He fell during the one-leg stand test. His blood alcohol content was at .285. There was also a box of Corona and Bud Light in the back seat of the Avalanche and more Bud Light near the passenger door.
A passenger of the Avalanche indicated that the Avalanche had hit the minivan. The passenger also said he told Myrick to slow down and that they had consumed alcohol together prior to the accident.
