Driving under the influence cases are occurring at an alarming rate in Missoula and Police Public Information Officer Travis Welsh says an officer noticed someone driving suspiciously Monday evening.

“An officer on patrol observed a vehicle failed to stop at a stop sign at the intersection of S 9th Street and Catlin,” said Welsh. “The officer closed the distance on the vehicle and initiated a traffic stop at the intersection of Garfield and S 11th Street.”

According to Welsh, the officer eventually made contact with the driver and found out this was not his first run in with the law.

“He developed suspicion of probable cause that the driver was under the influence of some intoxicant and the driver was eventually arrested for DUI,” Welsh said. “He subsequently found out also that this was not his first, in fact it was his fourth or subsequent making this one a felony. The driver was identified as 38-year-old Patrick Woofter.”

Police are suspicious that the suspect was under the influence of a drug, but a toxicology report has not been completed.

More From Alt 95.7