Intoxicated Driver Causes Chaos At Missoula Truck Stop

Missoula, MT (KGVO-AM News) - On September 1, 2024, at approximately 7:19 p.m., Montana Highway Patrol Troopers responded to the Wye after receiving a report of a drunk driver. The complainant told 911 Dispatch that an intoxicated male entered Muralt’s Truck Stop and ordered a drink.  

The male then left the business screaming and cussing. The complainant said that the male was driving unsafely in the parking lot, revving his engine, slamming on his brakes, and otherwise driving erratically. The male’s vehicle was described as a tan Ford pickup with a topper.  

A trooper quickly located the vehicle at a nearby gas station. When the trooper approached, the male driver, later identified as 46-year-old Jesse Shoupe, entered the vehicle and accelerated rapidly away, yelling profanities at someone in the parking lot as he drove.  

A Trooper Locates the Suspect

The trooper initiated a traffic stop and Shoupe pulled into a nearby parking space. Shoupe’s behavior immediately began to escalate. The trooper observed that Shoupe’s eyes were bloodshot and watery, his speech was slurred, and he smelled strongly of alcohol. It also appeared to the trooper that Shoupe had wet his pants. 

The trooper approached the vehicle and observed multiple open containers inside of it. He also noticed a loaded shotgun, along with various rifle bullets on the seats. Multiple efforts were made by the troopers on scene to speak with Shoupe, but he continually interrupted and argued with them.  

While a trooper tried to speak with Shoupe, a victim, John Doe, approached. Doe reported almost being run over by Shoupe in the parking lot. Doe had to physically move out of the way to avoid being struck. Doe used Google Translate due to his broken English to explain that he was walking from his semi-truck into Travel America to take a shower when the incident occurred.  

Doe also stated that Shoupe aimed a gun at him in the parking lot. The trooper advised that Doe was so scared while speaking with law enforcement that he was uncontrollably shaking and unable to even write his name on the trooper’s notepad. 

Shoupe is Placed Under Arrest

The troopers learned that Shoupe had an active warrant out of Ravalli County for failing to appear. The troopers arrested Shoupe and transported him to the jail to conduct a further DUI investigation. As they were leaving the parking lot, Shoupe looked out of the patrol-vehicle’s window at Doe and said, “F**k you, you Arab f**k.”  

As they neared the jail, Shoupe began spitting loogies and chewing tobacco all over the back of the patrol vehicle. The trooper also learned that Shoupe’s driver’s license was suspended. The trooper also determined, per his issued citation, that Shoupe failed to carry or exhibit proof of liability insurance. 

READ MORE: Missoula News – Crime Reports 

Shoupe ultimately refused to perform field sobriety tests. He also refused to provide a breath/blood sample for testing after being advised of Implied Consent. 

Shoupe is currently being charged with felony attempted assault with a weapon, felony criminal endangerment, driving with a suspended license, failure to carry proof of liability insurance, DUI first offense, and unlawful possession of an open alcoholic beverage container in a motor vehicle on the highway. His bond was set at $5,000. 

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