Drunk Driver Crashes Twice, Destroys Missoula Bus Shelter

Missoula, MT (KGVO-AM News) - On August 5, 2026, at midnight, Missoula Police Department officers were directed to a vehicle crash at the intersection of West Broadway Street and Higgins Avenue. An officer who arrived at the crash scene advised over the radio that the involved vehicle was observed leaving the scene. He said the fleeing vehicle was smoking and had visible damage.  

Another officer located the vehicle and activated his emergency lights and siren and attempted to catch up to the vehicle. As the officer turned onto West Pine Street from Higgins Avenue, he observed the vehicle traveling in the oncoming lanes of traffic. The driver failed to stop at the stop sign located at the intersection of Ryman Street and West Pine Street.  

As the pursuit continued, the suspect vehicle continued at a high rate of speed while entering the intersection of Orange Street and West Spruce Street against a steady red traffic signal without slowing or stopping. As the suspect vehicle passed through the intersection, the officer observed it nearly collide with a white SUV. 

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At one point during the pursuit, the officer noted that he was traveling in excess of 60 MPH, and the vehicle continued to pull away from him. Just before reaching the intersection of West Spruce Street and McCormick Street, the officer observed a large cloud of smoke in the roadway. It appeared the driver had lost control of the vehicle and crashed. As the officer approached the scene, he observed the vehicle had left the roadway, destroyed a bus stop shelter, and come to rest on the shelter's concrete foundation.  

As the officer came to a stop, he observed a single male exit the driver's seat and run behind the rear of the vehicle. The officer exited his patrol vehicle and yelled, "Stop! Police!" The male ignored the officer’s command and continued running. The officer pursued the suspect on foot and repeatedly ordered him to stop and get on the ground, to which he refused.  

The officer then announced that he would be tased if he did not comply. The male ignored all commands and continued fleeing. After a short distance, the officer caught up with the male, and he began slowly lowering himself to the ground. Once the suspect began complying, he was taken to the ground and handcuffed. The suspect would later be positively identified as 26-year-old Gabriel Brown. The officer noted that while taking Brown into custody, he detected a strong odor of an alcoholic beverage. 

READ MORE: Missoula News – Crime Reports 

Brown pulled his body away from officers and kicked a patrol vehicle that was parked on the roadway. He had to be taken to the ground due to his resistance. Brown was pinned on the ground, and a WRAP Restraint Device was deployed before being placed into the back of a patrol vehicle.  

The officer looked into the vehicle through the side window and observed an open can of White Claw and a marijuana dab pen inside the vehicle.  

Due to the two separate crash scenes, one of which was related to the vehicle pursuit, the Montana Highway Patrol was requested to conduct an independent crash investigation. The investigation included 5 individuals involved in the crashes of 2 separate vehicles that Brown had struck. Each of these individuals stated they believed Brown was intoxicated. 

Brown is currently being charged with felony DUI, felony aggravated fleeing from an officer, resisting arrest, and leaving the scene of an accident. His bond was set at $50,000. 

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