Drunk Driving Arrest in Missoula Spotlights Risks to Vulnerable Kids

A recent drunk driving case in Missoula has raised fresh alarms about impaired drivers endangering children.

Authorities responded to reports of a woman appearing intoxicated while shopping with her baby near a busy retail area.

Witnesses noted the strong scent of alcohol and her unsteady movements before she got behind the wheel.

Police quickly located the vehicle weaving through streets like Russell and South 6th.

After pulling over the driver in a pizza shop lot, officers identified her as 36-year-old Jennifer Bennett.

Inside, they found a sleeping toddler secured in the back seat.

Field tests revealed severe impairment, with a breath alcohol level hitting .295—far exceeding legal limits.

Records show Bennett's history includes two prior drunk driving convictions from over a decade ago.

Family members voiced deep worries, especially given her current pregnancy.

She's now charged with felony child endangerment, underscoring Montana's tougher stance on such offenses.

This incident echoes a troubling uptick in Missoula drunk driving cases this year, including rollovers involving kids and wrong-way highway scares.

Recent laws like one boosting penalties for fatal crashes aim to curb these dangers.

Local patrols have ramped up, targeting impaired drivers during events like homecoming weekends.

Yet community efforts, from gift card incentives to avoid driving buzzed, show a proactive push for safer roads.

With statistics climbing post-pandemic, Missoula residents are urged to plan sober rides.

The stakes are too high when lives hang in the balance.