Suspected drunk driver flipped truck with four children inside
DERRICK PERKINS | Hagadone News Network | UPDATED 1 year, 3 months AGO
Andrew James Meyers. (Photo courtesy the Flathead County Sheriff's Office)
NEWS EDITOR Derrick Perkins serves as News Editor at the Daily Inter Lake. He oversees daily news coverage and works closely with reporters to plan, edit and publish stories across print and digital platforms. Perkins helps coordinate coverage of local government, public safety, business and community developments throughout Northwest Montana. He works with the reporting staff to strengthen journalism while maintaining consistent daily coverage. His role helps ensure the newsroom delivers timely, accurate reporting that readers rely on. IMPACT: Derrick’s work keeps readers informed about the decisions and events shaping their communities every day. | May 27, 2025 12:00 AM
Prosecutors allege that the 53-year-old man behind the wheel of a truck with four children inside that flipped on the U.S. 93 Bypass earlier this month boasted a blood alcohol content of more than three times the legal limit.
Andrew James Meyers faces felony counts of criminal child endangerment and driving under the influence, fourth or subsequent offense, in Flathead County District Court following the May 16 wreck. Meyers, who remains in the county jail with bail set at $300,000, is expected to appear before Judge Danni Coffman for his arraignment on June 5.
Meyers allegedly repeatedly admitted to drinking before getting behind the wheel after Kalispell Police officers arrived to the site of the wreck, near the intersection of Basecamp Drive and the bypass, about 9 p.m. Officers found Meyers' Ford F-150 upside down on the highway's northbound lane, according to court documents.
First responders took his passengers, including a woman and children -- aged 12, 10, 8 and 3 -- to Logan Health Medical Center for potential treatment. Three of the children suffered minor injuries and medical professionals treated the woman for possible shoulder and neck injuries, court documents said.
Meyers allegedly showed signs of intoxication during the course of three field sobriety tests. A preliminary breath sample returned with a breath alcohol content of 0.272, court documents said.
Meyers allegedly admitted he was drunk to officers, telling them he was "guilty," according to court documents. He allegedly said he should never have driven a vehicle with the children in it.
Meyers' criminal history includes three prior driving under the influence convictions: a 2018 conviction in Flathead County and 2019 convictions in Oregon and Utah.
He also earned a felony assault with a weapon conviction in Flathead County in 2024. In that case, Meyers allegedly pulled a gun during a parking dispute at a Hutton Ranch Road parking lot. He received a deferred sentence on May 30, 2024.
News Editor Derrick Perkins can be reached at 758-4430 or [email protected].
ARTICLES BY DERRICK PERKINS
Columbia Falls therapist faces child pornography, other charges
A Flathead Valley therapist is facing multiple felonies, including 15 counts of sexual abuse of children, after authorities allegedly found child porn, drugs and bomb components during a Sept. 2 raid of his Columbia Falls home.
Man fired upon by Kalispell Police officers allegedly hurled cans, rocks during confrontation
The man arrested after Kalispell Police officers opened fire earlier this month allegedly hurled rocks, cans and bottles at them during the confrontation.
Therapist accused of keeping cache of child porn, bomb parts
Scott Thomas McFarlane, 41, is being held in the county jail with bail set at $1 million following the search of his Shadow Wood Drive home.