On February 20, 2022, at approximately 2:00 a.m., a Montana Highway Patrol trooper responded to the Zootown Super Stop located in the 2100 block of South Higgins Avenue for a report of a male who was passed out at the wheel.

The trooper responded to the location and approached the vehicle. He saw a male, later identified as 35-year-old Christopher Gotay, slumped over in the driver’s seat with his eyes closed.

Court documents indicate Gotay was moving slightly, and the trooper noted that the keys were in the ignition. The trooper opened the door in order to identify himself and wake Gotay. Gotay's eyes were bloodshot and watery, he had a dazed and confused expression on his face, his movements were extremely sluggish, and there was an overpowering odor of alcohol coming from the vehicle.

The trooper asked Gotay how much he had to drink and Gotay said he had a couple of beers. The trooper ran Gotay's information and found that he had a license status of Revoked 1st Degree in Washington and a restriction on his license requiring an ignition interlock device. However, the vehicle was not equipped with an interlock device.

The trooper conducted Field Sobriety Tests on Gotay. Gotay was mostly unsuccessful and provided numerous indicators of impairment. The trooper asked Gotay to take a preliminary breath test, but Gotay refused. The trooper placed Gotay under arrest for DUI.

In running Gotay's criminal and driving history, he had five prior convictions for DUI. He is currently being charged with felony DUI, operating motor vehicle in violation of ignition interlock device, and driving with a suspended license.

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

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