Suspected drunk driver flipped truck with four children inside
May 27—Prosecutors allege that the 53-year-old man behind the wheel of a truck with four children inside that flipped on the U.S. 93 Bypass earlier this month boasted a blood alcohol content of more than three times the legal limit.
Andrew James Meyers faces felony counts of criminal child endangerment and driving under the influence, fourth or subsequent offense, in Flathead County District Court following the May 16 wreck. Meyers, who remains in the county jail with bail set at $300,000, is expected to appear before Judge Danni Coffman for his arraignment on June 5.
Meyers allegedly repeatedly admitted to drinking before getting behind the wheel after Kalispell Police officers arrived to the site of the wreck, near the intersection of Basecamp Drive and the bypass, about 9 p.m. Officers found Meyers' Ford F-150 upside down on the highway's northbound lane, according to court documents.
First responders took his passengers, including a woman and children — aged 12, 10, 8 and 3 — to Logan Health Medical Center for potential treatment. Three of the children suffered minor injuries and medical professionals treated the woman for possible shoulder and neck injuries, court documents said.
Meyers allegedly showed signs of intoxication during the course of three field sobriety tests. A preliminary breath sample returned with a breath alcohol content of 0.272, court documents said.
Meyers allegedly admitted he was drunk to officers, telling them he was "guilty," according to court documents. He allegedly said he should never have driven a vehicle with the children in it.
Meyers' criminal history includes three prior driving under the influence convictions: a 2018 conviction in Flathead County and 2019 convictions in Oregon and Utah.
He also earned a felony assault with a weapon conviction in Flathead County in 2024. In that case, Meyers allegedly pulled a gun during a parking dispute at a Hutton Ranch Road parking lot. He received a deferred sentence on May 30, 2024.
News Editor Derrick Perkins can be reached at 758-4430 or dperkins@dailyinterlake.com.
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