An individual from Montana, who has a history of four prior DUI convictions, reportedly told authorities that he attempted to urinate in a Budweiser can while driving, which led to a collision with another vehicle, as noted in a probable cause affidavit.
On November 8, James Howard, 53, was taken into custody after his Chevrolet Suburban rear-ended a Volkswagen at an off-ramp on Interstate 90 in Missoula.
“I’m going to jail for a long time,” Howard remarked to the officer who arrested him, all while he was driving with a suspended license.
A Montana Highway Patrol Trooper, Van Kerkob, arrived at the Grant Creek Town Pump gas station shortly after 9 p.m. and noticed Howard clenching a large can of Budweiser.
The trooper observed that Howard’s pants were wet, there was a noticeable smell of alcohol on his breath, and his speech was slurred.
Both drivers had pulled over at the gas station post-collision but thankfully had not sustained any injuries. Howard then moved the beer can to the console of his vehicle.
When asked for the can, Howard handed it over, claiming it contained urine rather than beer. He admitted that he was attempting to relieve himself when the crash occurred.
The driver of the Volkswagen, Scott Drury, recounted that he had stopped at a light after exiting the interstate when he noticed headlights approaching rapidly in his rearview mirror.
He even warned his girlfriend to “prepare for impact” just before the collision, according to the report.
Van Kerkob noted in his report that he could “smell a strong odor of alcoholic beverages” on Howard and once again remarked on the slurred nature of Howard’s speech.
The officer pointed out that “Howard’s pants were wet with urine.” Howard admitted to having drunk a beer and acknowledged multiple past incidents of driving under the influence, expressing regret about his decision to drive.
When asked to perform a balance test, Howard declined, saying, “I just can’t do it.”
Documents suggest that a preliminary screening indicated Howard’s blood alcohol level was over three times the legal limit in Montana. A look into his criminal record uncovered a DUI conviction in North Dakota earlier this year, along with three others previously in Montana from 1994, 1995, and 2007.
Howard now faces charges including gross DUI, driving on a suspended or revoked license, and careless driving.
The publication has reached out to Howard and Drury for further comments.
