A Kalispell man faces a threat charge, among others, for comments he allegedly made to an officer after a drunken driving arrest.

Michael Tyler Nelson, 27, faces felony counts of negligent vehicular assault, criminal endangerment and threats in official matters.

The charges stem from a March 15 incident in which a Kalispell Police officer responded to the scene of a crash on North Meridian Road. 

The driver of a sport utility vehicle said that a pickup ran a red light and crashed into her. The officer noted significant damage to both vehicles, with the wheel of the pickup broken off.

The driver of the SUV, a pregnant woman, and a passenger were taken to the hospital to be treated for injuries.

The officer then met with Nelson, who allegedly was driving the pickup. He had slurred speech and smelled of alcohol, according to court documents. A breath test yielded a blood-alcohol content of .328. The legal threshold for drunken driving is .08.

Police took Nelson to the hospital because he was complaining of pain. According to court documents, Nelson became non-compliant and “squared off” with the Kalispell officer, who had to put Nelson in handcuffs. 

Nelson allegedly made comments that wearing a wedding ring could be dangerous for the officer’s family. He also made other physical threats, allegedly saying, “I hope to see you out on the streets.”

Nelson made an initial appearance in Flathead County Justice Court on Tuesday. His case will be moved up to District Court for an arraignment, but a date has not been set.

Nelson is being held in the Flathead County Detention Center on $10,000 bail. He made an initial appearance in court on Tuesday, and an arraignment has not yet been set.