Concerned Citizen Reports Impaired Driver Leaving Flathead Lake

Missoula, MT (KGVO-AM News) - On July 28, 2024, at approximately 9:22 AM, dispatch advised a Montana Highway Patrol Trooper of a concerned anonymous citizen who reported that a female driver, Cheri Trbovich, was on her way to Butte from Finley Point on Flathead Lake. Cheri was suspected to be "high on meth" and was described to be "up all night."

At approximately 9:55 AM, the trooper located the vehicle driving southbound on US-93N near mile marker sixteen in Lake County. The trooper followed the vehicle which drifted and drove on the white fog line three separate times. The trooper paced behind the Honda and matched the speed of 75 MPH in the posted 70 MPH zone.

The trooper noted that speeding and drifting were clues consistent with impaired driving, and so he activated his emergency lights to initiate a traffic stop near mile marker thirteen. The vehicle's speed increased to roughly 80 MPH before they observed the trooper’s lights were on and stopped.

The trooper made contact with Cheri who wouldn’t be still while seated in the vehicle. Her torso rocked front to back and both of her eyes were red and glazed. Her left arm and hand/fingers were constantly moving, and she continued touching and rubbing her neck and upper chest with her left hand. The trooper also noted that Cheri’s hygiene was poor, her hair appeared matted as if she were sleep-deprived, and her hands were dirty.

The trooper looked inside the vehicle and observed an open green bag in plain view. The trooper saw a plastic baggie, a butane torch-style lighter, and a glass meth pipe. The trooper believed Cheri showed several signs and symptoms of central nervous system stimulant drug use and believed she may currently be impaired by drugs.

READ MORE: Missoula News – Crime Reports

After conducting standardized field sobriety tests, the trooper decided to place Cheri under arrest. According to court documents, Cheri gave her consent to search her vehicle. During the search, the trooper found a black bag located on the back seat which contained another used/burnt glass pipe and several large loose shards/rocks of meth. Cheri confirmed the black bag was hers.

Cheri is currently being charged with felony criminal possession of dangerous drugs, DUI second offense, and criminal possession of drug paraphernalia.

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