MPD Arrest Man for DUI, He has at Least Four Prior Convictions

Just after 9:00 p.m. on Monday, a Missoula Police office responded to the report of a non-injury accident between two vehicles in the 2800 block of North Reserve Street. Dispatch notified officers that one of the drivers was possibly under the influence of alcohol. Police Public Information Officer Travis Welsh explains.

“During the course of the investigation they made contact with 58-year-old James Schiewek and discovered that he appeared to be under the influence of alcohol or some other intoxicant,” Welsh said. “At the conclusion of the investigation, Mr. Schiewek was placed under arrest for DUI. The officers later found out that he had at least three prior convictions, making this one a forth or subsequent and also a felony.”

According to court documents, the defendant told officers that he consumed alcohol before getting behind the wheel. However, the defendant refused to perform any Standardized Field Sobriety Tests, said that he would be unwilling to provide a breath sample for a preliminary breath test, and stated that he would not provide a blood sample.

An officer was granted a warrant for the defendant’s blood. The defendant was escorted to St. Patrick’s Hospital for a blood draw and is now being charged with felony DUI.

This is the sixth time the defendant has been arrested for DUI and he has at least four prior DUI convictions.