A 29-year-old motorist is accused of fighting with authorities after being pulled over for speeding near Columbia Falls in February.  

Luke Thomas Trimmer of no fixed address pleaded not guilty to a felony count of assault on a peace officer and misdemeanor charges of resisting arrest and driving under the influence before Judge Dan Wilson in Flathead County District Court on March 19. He remains in the county jail with bail set at $75,000. 

Trimmer popped up on the authorities' radar while allegedly driving 54 mph in a 45-mph zone on Ninth Street West in Columbia Falls just past midnight Feb. 21. A Columbia Falls Police officer began tailing Trimmer's cargo van as it headed west and logged it going 70 mph in a 60-mph zone while straddling both travel lanes, according to court documents. 

Trimmer pulled into the parking lot of a gas station at the intersection of U.S. 2 and Montana 40 after the officer hit their emergency lights. When the officer approached Trimmer's van, he cracked the window and began arguing, court documents said.  

Asked to provide his license, registration and insurance information, Trimmer refused, court documents said.  

"I could ... and what if I don't," he allegedly told the officer before rolling his window back up. He later told the officer to call his supervisor. 

The officer instead pulled open the driver's side door and told Trimmer to get out, court documents said. When Trimmer allegedly tried to pull the door closed, the officer grabbed his arm. A Montana Highway Patrol trooper who had joined the stop reached in to grab Trimmer's right arm and head, court documents said.  

Trimmer allegedly clung to the van and hit the gas pedal, revving the engine as he struggled. The officer deployed a Taser on Trimmer, but to no effect, court documents said.  

With help from two more officers and an additional Montana Highway Patrol trooper, Trimmer was pulled from the vehicle and handcuffed, according to court documents. Placed against the hood of a patrol vehicle, Trimmer allegedly kicked at the officers, prompting them to put him on the ground. While there he lost and regained consciousness repeatedly from what authorities suspected was a drug overdose, court documents said.  

During bouts of consciousness, Trimmer allegedly kicked and screamed, claimed he was 300 years old and tried to bite or spit at officers, according to court documents. As they carried him to an awaiting ambulance, Trimmer allegedly cursed and kicked one officer in the groin.  

The odor of an alcoholic beverage on Trimmer's breath, his slurred speech and his red and watery eyes also led authorities to suspect he was impaired at the time of the traffic stop, court documents said. Armed with a warrant, officers secured a blood draw and sent the sample to the Montana State Crime Lab.  

An omnibus hearing in Trimmer's case is scheduled for June 3 with a pretrial conference to follow on July 14. If convicted of felony assault on a peace officer, Trimmer could face between two and 10 years behind bars and a fine of up to $50,000. 

News Editor Derrick Perkins can be reached at 406-758-4430 or [email protected]. If you value local journalism, pledge your support at dailyinterlake.com/support.