Woman faces her fourth DUI charge

A 29-year-old Bigfork woman pleaded not guilty Thursday in Flathead District Court to what would be her fourth offense of driving under the influence.

Rachel Hansen also is charged with misdemeanor failure to have motor vehicle insurance, for which she has three prior convictions, as well as driving while license suspended or revoked.

According to a court document, a Montana Highway Patrol trooper responded to a single-vehicle crash on Nov. 23 and found Hansen behind the wheel. When the trooper asked her what happened, she allegedly responded “car stuck ditch.”

The trooper said Hansen smelled of alcohol, her eyes were watery and glassy and she had to use the car to prop herself up while climbing out of the vehicle. He asked her how much she had to drink and she allegedly said “way too much.”

She reportedly failed a field sobriety test and refused a breath alcohol test.

Hansen’s prior convictions for driving under the influence came in August 2006, March 2011 and June 2012. Her prior convictions for driving without insurance came on the same 2006 and 2012 dates as her drunk driving convictions as well as one in February 2008.

If convicted of all three charges, Hansen faces between 13 months in jail and six years in prison and a fine of between $1,000 and $11,000. Her next hearing is scheduled for April 10, 2013.