Drunk Driver Nearly Hits Children During Police Pursuit in Missoula
On March 5, 2022, Missoula Police Department Officers responded to the Creekside Apartments on East Broadway for a reported physical disturbance between two females. Dispatch was advised that two females were fighting and that the parties were attempting to leave the scene.
Two females got into a red-colored GMC Envoy and five to six other individuals got into a dark colored Ford passenger car. Dispatch was also advised that the involved parties were stumbling around and appeared to be intoxicated. Police Public Information Officer Lydia Arnold explains.
“The sergeant on duty located the GMC vehicle,” Arnold said. “When they tried to initiate a traffic stop, the vehicle failed to yield. The vehicle continued at a high rate of speed in a populated area, failing to adhere to traffic signals and signs. Officers noted the vehicle close to losing control and endangering the pedestrians on the corner. Vehicles had to hastily get out of the way to not be hit. Officers were able to get the vehicle stopped and placed the female driver, Randi Gerard, into custody.”
During the pursuit, an officer saw four children quickly run in between two storage buildings to avoid from getting hit. After watching his patrol camera, it was roughly two seconds between the time the children ran between the buildings for cover and the suspect vehicle attempted to make a left hand turn directly in front of them.
During the arrest, Gerard appeared to be slurring her words and was actively fighting with officers. Court documents indicate a Corporal observed Gerard lose her balance and fall to her back on the ground while an officer escorted her to his patrol car. While on her back, Gerard attempted to kick the officer.
During the Corporal’s interaction with Gerard, he observed the odor of an alcoholic beverage on her breath. Gerard said she had been at a party and tried to take her friend home before her got into a fight. Gerard then apologized for “being intoxicated”. Gerard also said that she had “a lot to drink today” and refused to perform field sobriety tests or provide a breath test.
Gerard was arrested and transported to the Missoula County Detention Center. She is currently being charged with felony criminal endangerment, DUI, fleeing from a peace officer, and resisting arrest.
The information in this article was obtained from sources that are publicly viewable.