A Missoula man who wrecked a semi tanker truck carrying 60 tons of gas and diesel fuel while driving on the Bull Lake Road in the Savage Lake area earlier this month is locked up in the Lincoln County Detention Center.

Benjamin Patrick Wayne Roland, 30, is incarcerated on $250,000 bail. He is accused of felony criminal endangerment and two misdemeanors, driving a commercial vehicle with a blood alcohol content of .04 or more and violation of rules.

Roland pleaded not guilty to the charges at his arraignment Dec. 22 and District Judge Matt Cuffe set his next court hearing for Feb. 2, 2026.

According to the affidavit by arresting officer Montana Highway Patrol trooper Virgil Sadewasser, he responded at 1:27 p.m. Thursday, Dec. 4, to a crash on Montana Highway 56 at mile marker 32. The truck, a 2024 Kenworth semi was hauling two tanker trailers, a lead and a pup. The truck and lead trailer were on their sides while the pup trailer remained upright.

Tpr. Sadewasser photographed the crash scene, noting several small trees that were run over when the truck left the road. When he approached the cab, he noticed a strong odor, similar to wine. Sadewasser also saw a tinted, transparent water bottle that appeared and smelled like it contained red wine.

Sadewasser then went to Cabinet Peaks Medical Center to speak with Roland while MHP Sgt. Andrew Horton assisted the tow truck driver and handled traffic control.

Sadewasser wrote in his report that Roland said, “I done (expletive) up today.” When the officer asked Roland to explain, he allegedly said, “coming into a corner too hot, didn’t break fast enough.” Sadewasser believed Roland’s statement signified the defendant was either untruthful or not taking accountability for the crash. He also noted Roland had, “extremely bloodshot and watery eyes.”

After telling Roland they were going to do a test to help determine his sobriety, Sadewasser mentioned the wine in the semi. When the officer told the accused the only reason to put wine into a water bottle was to hide the consumption of alcohol, Roland allegedly said, “right.”

During the field sobriety test, Sadewasser said Roland had the most egregious HGN (Horizontal Gaze Nystagmus) that he had ever seen. Roland later agreed to provide a blood sample. The trooper said Roland bragged about his driving and how he prided himself on his driving ability.

Sadewasser also reported Roland was extremely Tachycardiac with a heart rate of 170 for several hours after the crash, consistent with an excessive intake of alcohol.

Sadewasser arrested Roland following his release from the hospital, cited him for DUI commercial vehicle, first offense, and took him to the detention center.

The trooper also spoke to the manager of the company that owned the truck, Red Mountain Truck Lines. The man said the truck would have weighed about 120,000 pounds.

Sadewasser said vehicles traveling in the area of the crash as well as residents nearby were put in great danger. He also said the vehicle had a very high chance of catching fire, noting the flammable placards on the truck. The tankers also lost fuel that had to be caught by Office of Emergency Services and fire personnel that endangered the environment.

Sadewasser said, due to his training and experience, the level Roland was at for alcohol use, crashing was almost certain.