Man charged with fifth DUI

A 49-year-old Kalispell man pleaded not guilty Thursday in Flathead District Court to what would be his fifth offense of driving under the influence.

According to a court document, Terrence Miller arrived at the Kalispell Police Department on July 3, attempting to recover a shotgun that had been seized during a verbal disturbance. An officer speaking with Miller in the lobby observed Miller to be highly intoxicated.

Miller allegedly told the officer that he had been drinking all day and was drunk, then failed a breath alcohol test. He then gave the officer conflicting stories about how he got to the police station. A later review of surveillance footage showed Miller driving up to the station in his truck.

His prior convictions for driving under the influence came in February 1986, December 1986, January 1999 and January 2010.

If convicted of the new charge, he faces 13 months in jail or a residential alcohol treatment program and a consecutive suspended sentence of five years. If Miller has already been placed in residential alcohol treatment for a past conviction, his potential sentence could grow to five years in jail along with the suspended sentence and a fine of between $1,000 and $10,000.

His next hearing is scheduled for Sept. 19.