A motorist suspected of evading Kalispell Police officers during a July chase is facing a slew of felonies after authorities in Columbia Falls arrested him during another pursuit in early September.  

Prosecutors have charged Draven Damion Craig, 22, of Kalispell with driving under the influence, fifth offense, and two counts each of aggravated fleeing from or eluding peace officers and criminal endangerment. Craig also faces a misdemeanor charge of unlawful restraint.  

He is expected to appear before Judge Danni Coffman in Flathead County District Court on Oct. 1 for his arraignment. Craig remains in the county jail with bail set at $60,000.  

Investigators believe Craig was behind the wheel of a white Chevrolet Impala that Kalispell Police officers spotted speeding down West Idaho Street with a front headlight out about 4:40 a.m., July 30, according to court documents. Notching him allegedly going 41 mph in a 25-mph zone, officers initiated a traffic stop and followed the Impala into a gas station parking lot. 

While the officers got a good enough look at the driver to later identify him as Craig from his driver's license photo, the Impala sped off, court documents said. Pursuing officers described Craig as hitting speeds of between 50 and 80 mph as he nearly collided with a police vehicle, ran a stop sign, drove over sidewalks and cut through dirt lots, court documents said.  

After Craig allegedly turned off the Impala's headlights, officers ended the pursuit for safety reasons.  

But they linked the Impala to Craig's father using law enforcement databases, according to court documents. Investigators also spoke with an individual who had been messaging with Craig on the social media platform Snapchat who said the 22-year-old had described the chase to her. She also said her 15-year-old cousin was in the Impala during the pursuit, according to court documents.  

The messages, included in the charging documents, show Craig allegedly boasting about the chase.  

CRAIG'S SECOND, this time unsuccessful, flight from law enforcement began after a Columbia Falls Police officer spotted a white Impala make a turn without signaling about 11 p.m., Sept. 3, according to court documents.  

Although the driver initially shook off the police, the officer later spotted him driving with the Impala’s headlights turned off, court documents said. The officer watched as two people hopped out of the Impala before it sped away, tires screeching.  

The driver allegedly ran stop signs, drove over residential lawns and forced another vehicle onto a sidewalk in their attempt to escape. The Impala also struck a telephone pole, which left its bumper hanging, and suffered a tire blowout, court documents said.  

The chase came to an end when the Impala's driver tried to flee through a bank drive-thru and collided with a cement pylon, according to court documents.  

Two men, identified as Craig and his brother, exited the vehicle at gunpoint after it came to a stop, court documents said.  

"I love you," Craig allegedly shouted at the officers. "It wasn't me." 

Officers described him as smelling of alcohol and burnt marijuana, according to court documents. He also allegedly boasted bloodshot, watery eyes and slurred speech.  

Investigators allegedly found empty alcohol containers and a partially filled plastic bottle of liquor in the Impala. They also located a THC vape pen in the driver's side door, court documents said.  

Craig allegedly reported drinking two 12-ounce Miller Lites.  

Taken to Logan Health Medical Center for treatment after the crash, Craig agreed to a blood draw. The sample has since been sent to the Montana State Crime Lab for testing, court documents said.  

Craig's criminal record includes four prior driving under the influence convictions, all earned between 2025 and 2026, according to the charging documents. Two are out of Butte-Silver Bow County and the others come from Gallatin and Flathead counties. He also has a prior fleeing and eluding conviction.  

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.