A 36-year-old Kalispell man pleaded guilty Thursday in Flathead District Court to his fourth offense of driving under the influence, a felony.

Kristopher Chandler was arrested after a traffic stop on May 1, 2012, after driving his vehicle over the center line directly toward the patrol car of a Montana Highway Patrol trooper. 

The trooper had been on the lookout for the vehicle after receiving a report of a drunk driver.

As the trooper approached the vehicle, he witnessed the driver and the front-seat passenger switch seats with one another. The trooper went straight to Chandler, who denied he had been driving. The passenger, however, admitted that she had switched with Chandler because he had been drinking.

Chandler then failed field sobriety tests and refused to provide a breath sample twice. A blood draw later determined that not only was he above the legal limit, he also had marijuana in his system. Drug paraphernalia belonging to Chandler also was found.

In exchange for Chandler pleading guilty, another case alleging a fifth incident of drunk driving was dismissed. In that case it was alleged that while driving drunk on Ninth Avenue West on Aug. 11, 2011, he struck and killed a dog. According to a court document, Chandler had to be told on several occasions during the incident to stop cursing.

Chandler faces up to five years in prison and a fine of between $1,000 and $10,000 when he is sentenced on April 25.

Reporter Jesse Davis may be reached at 758-4441 or by email at jdavis@dailyinterlake.com.