Missoula woman faces endangerment charges

* This story has been updated to include the correct image of Christina Courtney McGillis. 

A Missoula woman is accused of being impaired while driving with two young children in her vehicle. Christina Courtney McGillis, 41, entered a plea of not guilty in District Court in Polson on Nov. 20 to two counts of criminal child endangerment.

According to charging documents, on Sept. 27, Lake County dispatch took a report of a reckless driver in a black Cadillac traveling south on Highway 93 near Walmart in Polson. The reporting party indicated that the driver appeared to have passed out at a stoplight.

A Lake County Sheriff’s deputy located a vehicle matching the description of the Cadillac on Highway 93 in Ronan. It maneuvered an abrupt lane change in a restricted lane change area and could not maintain its lane or speed.

When the deputy made a traffic stop, he found two children, ages 1 and 4 years old, in the vehicle. The deputy obtained a warrant for a blood draw, which showed McGillis with a blood alcohol content at .248, more than three times the legal limit.

Judge John A. Mercer set the case for trial on March 9. McGillis remains at liberty.

Jeff Smith is the news director for Anderson Broadcasting and a regular contributor to the Lake County Leader.