Missoula, MT – Officers with the Missoula Police Department responded to a crash involving a motor vehicle and a motorcycle at the intersection of Reserve Street and Spurgin Road on April 10.
According to police, the crash was reported shortly after 2:30 p.m. A 35-year-old male motorcyclist sustained serious bodily injury and was transported to a local hospital for treatment.
The driver of the vehicle, identified as 41-year-old Brian Ballenger, did not remain at the scene. Officers later located him in the area of Schilling Avenue and Fairview Avenue, where he was taken into custody.
Authorities said officers are following Serious Bodily Injury protocols, and the driver was processed for suspected impairment. Detectives, the department’s crash investigation team, and drone operators are assisting with the ongoing investigation.
Traffic on Reserve Street experienced temporary minor disruptions during the investigation, though all lanes have since reopened.
Ballenger was transported to the Missoula County Jail and booked on charges including negligent vehicular assault resulting in serious bodily injury, aggravated driving under the influence of alcohol and/or drugs (second offense), and resisting arrest.
Police said the investigation remains ongoing and are asking anyone who witnessed the incident or has video footage to contact the department. No additional information is expected to be released at this time.
