Wrong-way Driver Causes Chaos On I-90 In Missoula

Missoula, MT (KGVO-AM News) - On September 20, 2025, a Montana Highway Patrol Trooper was advised, via Missoula County dispatch, of a wrong-way driver traveling between Van Buren and Orange Street on I-90. 

At approximately 2:02 AM, several callers reported a crash at the Airport Blvd exit. Upon arrival, a trooper observed a silver Subaru Forester upside down in the roadway. Then the trooper observed a female near the wreckage. The trooper was approached by a Missoula County Deputy, who stated they believed the female was intoxicated.  

The trooper made contact with the female, who was identified as the driver of the Forester, 21-year-old Hailey Paris. While Paris was providing her last name, she had difficulty spelling it out and indicated that it contained an e before correcting herself. 

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She Admitted to Drinking Five Alcoholic Beverages 

The trooper immediately noticed that Paris’s eyes were bloodshot and watery, she smelled strongly of alcohol, and was having difficulty balancing. According to court documents, Paris told the trooper that she had five alcoholic beverages before driving and seemed to be confused as to why she was traveling the wrong way on the interstate. The trooper observed an empty 12-ounce White Claw can that had been ejected from the vehicle during the crash and noticed that the vehicle smelled strongly of alcohol.  

In speaking with Paris, the trooper noted her speech was slow and very slurred. The trooper also noticed that Paris swayed from side to side and front to back, often having to move her feet to maintain balance.  

The MHP crash investigation revealed that Paris had been traveling the wrong way in the “fast lane” and had crashed into two commercial motor vehicles. Interviews with the drivers of the commercial vehicles indicated that a true head-on collision had been narrowly avoided. 

READ MORE: Missoula News – Crime Reports 

Standardized Field Sobriety Test Results 

Paris was medically cleared on scene and was transported to jail. Paris was instructed in the standardized field sobriety tests and the following results were observed: 6/6 on HGN, 6/8 on Walk and Turn and 3/4 on One Leg Stand. Paris was then read the Implied Consent Advisory and agreed to provide a breath sample, which indicated a BAC of .198.  

A trooper interviewed all witnesses and 911 callers. Four of the witnesses told the trooper that they’d met Paris on the interstate and had to navigate quickly to the shoulder in order to avoid a head-on collision. Two witnesses informed the trooper that they’d very narrowly avoided crashing into Paris, and one said that she thought, “I’m going to die” as she avoided striking the vehicle by mere inches.  

Paris is currently being charged with three counts of felony criminal endangerment and aggravated DUI, first offense. 

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