Extremely Dangerous High-Speed Chase on Missoula’s Busiest Streets

Missoula, MT (KGVO-AM News) - On September 26, 2024, at approximately 6:30 PM, a Missoula Police Department officer was patrolling near a diesel truck rally at the Walmart on Mullan Road. The officer observed a blue Chevy Duramax truck conduct a large burnout with the rear of the truck sliding sideways toward numerous pedestrians that were in the area. 

The officer did a U-turn and activated his emergency lights to catch up to the vehicle. Instead of yielding, the truck accelerated and turned onto Mullan eastbound. The pursuit continued southbound on Reserve Street reaching speeds over 100 MPH. The truck turned westbound on Spurgin, southbound on Eaton, and back to Reserve.  

Other patrol vehicles joined in the pursuit. The officer observed the truck nearly collide with numerous vehicles and other motorists. The driver ran red traffic lights at two intersections nearly colliding with vehicles and also ran at least two stop signs. Another officer saw the truck almost strike three different vehicles and run multiple vehicles off the road.  

Another officer observed the driver going 104 MPH on South Third St. West and driving into the oncoming lane of traffic to overtake another vehicle. The truck almost struck another vehicle at Clements and Spurgin. The truck continued at over 90 MPH on Clements and almost rammed into a vehicle, forcing it to turn onto another street.  

While pursuing the vehicle, an officer saw children playing at Fort Missoula Park. The truck was approaching the intersection of South and Reserve, which was busy at that time of day. Another officer responded to the area and deployed stop sticks at the roundabout at the Fort Missoula entrance. The truck ran over them and punctured two tires.  

READ MORE: Missoula News – Crime Reports 

The driver, later identified as 20-year-old Samuel Burton, was taken into custody at gunpoint in a high-risk traffic stop. According to court documents, Burton is a participant in the Missoula County Attorney’s Office Pretrial Diversion Program for a felony criminal mischief offense. Burton said he smoked a dab pen of marijuana earlier in the day and had two firearms in the vehicle. However, officers did not find sufficient evidence that he was driving under the influence. 

Burton was placed under arrest and was transported to the Missoula County Detention Facility. He is currently being charged with felony criminal endangerment and fleeing from a peace officer. 

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