Missoula Woman Stole Her Boyfriend’s Car and Fled from Police
At around 9:00 p.m. on Sunday, a male reported that his vehicle has just been stolen by his girlfriend, 25-year-old Hailee Doty. The male informed Missoula Police that he got in his truck and was following his stolen vehicle near the Arby’s on Garfield Street. Detective Lieutenant Eddie McLean explains.
“During that time, it was also reported that Doty intentionally struck the victim’s vehicle with the reported stolen vehicle,” McLean said. “A Missoula Police Officer located the vehicle at the intersection of Brooks and Garfield and initiated a traffic stop. The vehicle initially pulled over, but sped up when officers approached on foot.”
The officer told Doty to place the vehicle in park and shut it off. As the officer approached the vehicle, Doty turned on the car and fled from the traffic stop. The officer returned to his patrol car, activated his siren, and pursued Doty.
“Doty drove northbound on Garfield where she lost control of her vehicle, crashing into a tree,” McLean said. “Doty was not cooperative with officers and resisted their attempts to arrest her. Once she was placed under arrest, she was transported to the hospital for treatment of possible injuries she sustained in the crash. Once medically cleared, she was transported to the Missoula County Detention Facility.”
Court documents indicate Doty told the officer to “shoot her” and when he stated he would not, she turned away from the officer and began walking back toward the vehicle. Due to Doty having led officers on a pursuit, her involvement in a stolen car, demanding officers shoot her, and her failure to comply with lawful commands, the officer became increasingly concerned that Doty would retrieve a weapon from her vehicle to force an officer involved shooting or she would attempt to escape again. At this time, the officer deployed his Taser.
Doty was taken into custody, refused medical transport, but was ultimately taken to the hospital by the officer. Doty was later found to have a revoked driver’s license and was found to be a habitual traffic offender. The owner of the stolen vehicle said Doty does not have permission to drive any of his vehicles.
Doty is currently being charged with felony theft, obstructing a peace officer, habitual traffic offender, reckless driving, fleeing from a peace officer, and criminal mischief.
The information in this article was obtained from sources that are publicly viewable.