Drunk Driver Goes 120 MPH in the Wrong Lane on I-90 in Missoula

Missoula, MT (KGVO-AM News) - On September 18, 2023, Missoula County Sheriff’s Office Deputies were on Interstate 90 near mile marker 112. A deputy was traveling in the eastbound lane when he observed headlights driving toward him, westbound, in the eastbound passing lane. The deputy used the median to conduct a U-turn and another deputy followed.

The deputy later found the vehicle to be a 2017 Hyundai, driven by 48-year-old Sheryl McDunn. The deputy observed McDunn have a near head-on collision with two semi-trucks near mile marker 108. During this time, another deputy was pursuing McDunn in the oncoming lane of traffic and in doing so, found McDunn to be traveling at speeds of roughly 100-120 MPH.

Suspect Nearly Causes a Head-On Collision

According to court documents, McDunn failed to yield to the deputies’ emergency lights. McDunn attempted to pull over in the median at approximately mile marker 109, but did not stop and continued driving. At this point, McDunn approached two semi-trucks and began swerving toward the small gap between them before aggressively swerving away, barely avoiding a head-on collision.

McDunn then pulled her vehicle over between mile marker 107 and 108, where she attempted to place her car in reverse. A deputy performed a driving maneuver in an attempt to prevent McDunn from moving. After completing the maneuver, the deputy approached the vehicle and asked McDunn to exit.

The deputy observed that McDunn had bloodshot and watery eyes, as well as slurred and incoherent speech. McDunn denied traveling into oncoming traffic and stated she was going straight. McDunn admitted to having one shot of Crown Royal before leaving Great Falls, stating she did not stop anywhere else along the way. McDunn consented to a search of her vehicle, which yielded an empty bottle of vodka and various prescription bottles.

Suspect Passed 21 Cars During Pursuit

The deputy later reviewed his dash camera footage of the pursuit and found McDunn had passed 21 cars on the highway driving in the wrong direction. McDunn was transported to St. Patrick’s Hospital for further medical evaluation. The deputy noted she had continued slurred speech and had trouble maintaining her balance while walking and standing.

McDunn said she was willing to perform the Standardized Field Sobriety Tests. After instruction, McDunn was unable to follow directions in order to complete any of the maneuvers. McDunn also refused to provide a breath sample and a blood sample. The deputy applied for and was granted a search warrant for McDunn’s blood.

McDunn was transported to the Missoula County Detention Facility. She is currently being charged with felony criminal endangerment and misdemeanor DUI. McDunn has one prior DUI conviction.

The information in this article was obtained from sources that are publicly viewable.