Teens Steal Car and Crash While Fleeing From Missoula Police

Missoula, MT (KGVO-AM News) - At approximately 3:28 a.m. on October 20, 2023, Missoula Police dispatch advised of a stolen vehicle that was just taken from a residence in the 800 block of Monroe Street. The complainant called 911 and reported that he woke up to his vehicle being stolen. He stated the theft had happened immediately before he called. He said the vehicle was a 2005 Subaru Outback.  

A Missoula Police Department Officer quickly located the vehicle and observed it traveling southbound on Madison Street. The officer activated his emergency lights to pull the vehicle over, but the vehicle failed to yield.  

Moments later, the driver of the vehicle sped up to speeds well over the posted speed limit of 30 mph. The officer engaged in a pursuit of the stolen vehicle, which was making abrupt swerves on the roadway.  

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Driver Loses Control and Crashes 

As the driver turned onto S 4th St E., they lost control of the vehicle and ended up driving over the sidewalk. They then crashed head-on into a parked vehicle. The driver then drove over a fire hydrant and continued southbound on Higgins Ave. The vehicle began smoking extensively making it difficult to see the roadway.

The officer was scared that the vehicle was going to continue to drive in a dangerous manner. It was approximately 3:30 a.m. on a Friday morning near downtown and the University population. The officer knows from his training and local experience that even during these early morning hours, it is not uncommon to see motorists on the roadway and pedestrians on the sidewalk in this area.

To end the driver's actions, the officer hit the bumper of the vehicle which resulted in an effective fishtail that caused the vehicle to stop and crash off the road into a tree at the intersection of S. 5th St. W. and Hazel St. 

The driver ran away on foot after jumping a fence into someone's yard. The officer pointed his firearm at the front passenger and gave him commands to put his hands on his head and to follow instructions. The officer placed the passenger into handcuffs and put him in the backseat of a patrol vehicle. Other officers located and placed the driver into custody. The driver was identified as 19-year-old Oleg Nichols and the passenger was identified as 18-year-old Domenick Kline. 

Suspects Admit to Stealing 

Kline told officers that he and Nichols decided they wanted to break into cars. Kline said he was using his phone light while Nichols stole the items. When Nichols and Kline got to the Subaru, Nichols found a key in the glovebox and asked Kline if they should see if it worked. Kline said yes and they started the vehicle. Kline then jumped in the passenger seat knowing the vehicle was stolen and agreed to steal it with Nichols. According to court documents, they admitted to unlawfully entering approximately four vehicles on Monroe St. and stealing items. 

Kline is currently being charged with felony conspiracy to commit theft, accountability to theft, and accountability to criminal trespass to vehicles. 

Nichols is currently being charged with felony theft, felony criminal endangerment, accountability to theft, accountability to criminal trespass to vehicles, fleeing from a peace officer, reckless driving, leaving the scene of an accident, and obstructing a peace officer. On October 20, 2023, Nichols made his initial appearance in Missoula Justice Court and his bond was set at $250,000. 

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