Missoula, MT (KGVO-AM News) - On November 16, 2022, Missoula Police Department officers were dispatched to Brooks Street for a moving violation complaint. The complainant called 911 and said that a female in a purple minivan had run a red light, was swerving in the lane of traffic, and into oncoming traffic.  

The complainant stated the female driver was “falling asleep” and eventually pulled into Montana Lil’s Casino on Brooks Street. Police Public Information Officer Lydia Arnold has more. 

“The caller reported the van had run a red light and nearly collided with their vehicle in the opposite direction of travel,” Arnold said. “Officers located the van and noticed the vehicle was stopped in the middle of the parking lot with the car still running. An officer approached the door and observed a female, Joetta King, slumped over the wheel. Numerous attempts were made to wake her, but the officer was unsuccessful.”  

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According to court documents, the officer saw that King’s lips were blue and that she was having difficulty breathing as she was gasping for air. After multiple attempts to wake King failed, an officer used his baton to break the passenger side window to get into the vehicle because all the doors were locked. Officers were able to get King out of the vehicle. 

Another officer arrived on the scene and gave King a dose of NARCAN, which appeared to help King’s breathing. The officer saw that King’s eyes were constricted and after a few minutes, the NARCAN improved King’s responsiveness. 

“King is on probation and had warrants for her arrest,” Arnold said. “Probation and parole became involved in the situation and conducted a probation search which revealed drug paraphernalia. Drugs appear to be a factor in this case. This case is still under investigation with the Missoula Police Department Detective Division.”  

Court documents indicate the Probation Officer found a half-empty bottle of Fireball Whiskey and five cracked glass pipes used for smoking marijuana and methamphetamine during the search of King’s vehicle. 

King was arrested and transported to the Missoula County Detention Center. King is currently being charged with felony criminal endangerment and DUI first offense. Her case was filed directly to district court. 

On July 22, 2022, King was charged with one count of felony criminal possession of dangerous drugs.

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

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