Wrong Way Montana Driver is Arrested for DUI
Missoula, MT (KGVO-AM News) - In the early morning hours of June 21, 2025, multiple Missoula County Sheriff’s Office deputies were involved in the arrest of 31-year-old Madelaine Beall after she was observed driving the wrong way on Highway 93 South, near Lolo, Montana. At approximately 12:50 AM, a deputy was patrolling northbound on Highway 93 when he observed an oncoming vehicle flashing its high beams. Shortly after, his attention was drawn to another vehicle traveling southbound in the northbound lanes.
The deputy quickly slowed down, moved to the outer lane, and activated his lights and siren. The suspect vehicle eventually moved into the correct southbound lanes but failed to stop for nearly a minute despite active emergency signals. It ultimately pulled over just north of Bird Lane.
Upon contact, the deputy immediately detected the overwhelming odor of alcohol and burnt marijuana coming from the vehicle. The driver, later identified as Beall, exhibited several indicators of impairment: slurred and sluggish speech, dazed expression, glassy eyes, and poor motor coordination.
A Male was Also in the Vehicle
A male passenger also expressed concern that they had been driving on the wrong side of the road and asked to take the vehicle, but his own signs of impairment led deputies to deny the request.
When instructed to exit the vehicle, Beall was visibly unsteady on her feet and used the car door for support. She was wearing a wristband consistent with those issued by alcohol-serving establishments. Beall admitted she had been drinking earlier in the evening and said she had been “downtown” in Missoula.
According to court documents, a deputy conducted Standardized Field Sobriety Tests and observed 14 out of 18 clues of impairment. Beall refused a Preliminary Breath Test and was placed under arrest. The deputy obtained a search warrant for a blood sample, which was approved by Judge Parker. Beall was transported to St. Patrick’s Hospital for blood draw. During the procedure, Beall was uncooperative, heckled medical staff, and made verbal threats, though no physical actions followed. Blood was successfully drawn by 3:31 AM.
READ MORE: Missoula News – Crime Reports
Beall was Transported to the Jail
Beall was then taken to the Missoula County Detention Facility, where she refused to sign a Temporary Driving Permit and insisted on speaking with a lawyer first. Her license was seized, and a copy of the search warrant and test refusal certification was placed in her property bin.
Deputies concluded that Beall demonstrated clear and multiple signs of significant intoxication, created an extreme danger to public safety by driving the wrong way on a divided highway, and was uncooperative throughout the encounter. Beall is currently being charged with felony criminal endangerment and DUI first offense.
The information in this article was obtained from sources that are publicly viewable.