Wrong-way Driver Cases Spike in Montana

Missoula, MT (KGVO-AM News) - A thirty-year-old driver is behind bars at the Missoula County Detention Facility on a quarter-million-dollar bond following a high-speed, wrong-way pursuit through Missoula.

It's the latest case in a rash of wrong-way driving incidents on I-90 that has authorities searching for solutions.

According to Missoula Police, Karma Border faces multiple felony charges, including criminal endangerment and aggravated eluding, after leading officers on a chase that topped 100 miles per hour.

Drivers were forced to swerve out of the way as the SUV sped past Reserve Street before law enforcement finally boxed the vehicle in near the Wye exit.

Montana safety leaders are expressing concern about a spike in "wrong-way" drivers on the state's freeways this year, many of which are resulting in accidents causing serious injury and even death.

Montana Highway Patrol leader Colonel Kurt Sager says there are a number of factors behind the incidents, but usually it's a case of impaired driving.

"They are, obviously, interstate speeds," Sager explains. "Vehicles are moving faster, and when you're driving down the interstate, you expect to be able to use both lanes safely. And when you have somebody driving down the interstate the wrong direction, it's oftentimes very deadly, and people just don't expect to see a car coming out in the wrong direction."

But Colonel Sager says many of the cases stem from distracted drivers too.

"You know, people are distracted by so many things in a vehicle anymore, whether they're on their phone or whatever it may be," Sager adds. "They're not paying attention to road signs, and pretty soon they're heading the wrong way down the interstate."

The Missoula County Attorney's Office is so worried about the problem that they've started researching the cases and trying to find some innovative ways to deal with the hazard.