Munyan pleads not guilty following auto wreck
Derrick Perkins Western News | Hagadone News Network | UPDATED 4 years, 11 months AGO
A Butte man accused of his seventh driving while under the influence incident has pleaded not guilty to the charges in Lincoln County District Court.
Authorities arrested Timothy Gale Munyan on Nov. 30 after he crashed his vehicle while allegedly driving drunk on U.S. Highway 2. He faces charges of driving under the influence, fifth or subsequent offense, operation of a noncommercial motor vehicle with a blood alcohol content above .08, careless driving and a seatbelt violation.
After awaiting a show cause hearing, Munyan was arraigned on the charges on Feb. 24.
According to court documents, Montana Highway Patrol responded to reports of a wrecked vehicle near Paul Bunyon Lane about 5:45 p.m. Upon arrival, Trooper Bryce Ford found the vehicle, a Jeep, had come to a rest after striking a large tree.
Witnesses told Ford that Munyan had asked them for a flashlight after the wreck and then returned to the Jeep to remove beer bottles and toss them into the nearby woods, court documents said.
When Ford spoke with Munyan, he had blood on his face and head, suffering from cuts and contusions. Ford also reported smelling alcohol, according to court documents.
Emergency responders treated Munyan for his injuries and took him to Cabinet Peaks Medical Center, where blood was drawn, court documents said. Ford, meanwhile, found a beer bottle by the driver’s side window and several more in nearby bushes, court documents said.
Munyan was previously convicted for driving under the influence in 1993, 1994, twice in 1995, 2010 and 2013. An omnibus hearing was scheduled for April 20 with a pretrial conference set for June 1.
ARTICLES BY DERRICK PERKINS WESTERN NEWS
Relocated grizzly bear attacked biologist in 2018
Montana Fish, Wildlife and Parks officials stand by a decision to relocate a grizzly bear that attacked a biologist last year after it recently was caught trying to get into a barn south of Libby.
Hemp facility in Libby expects to hire 120 workers
About 210 people, most from Lincoln County, have applied for jobs at Isotex Health since the hemp production company closed a deal to buy the old Stinger building in Libby on Sept. 26.
County health officials to enforce state vape ban
Local enforcement of the state’s emergency, 120-day ban on the sale of flavored vaping products has fallen to the Lincoln County Health Department.