Man accused of speeding 100 mph through accident scene

A Kalispell man is facing felony criminal endangerment and misdemeanor driving under the influence charges after he allegedly drove drunk through an accident scene at nearly 100 miles per hour and almost hit several first responders on Dec. 21.

A $10,000 arrest warrant was issued for Raymond Dwight Ballard, 61, the following day.

According to court documents, Ballard allegedly admitted to attempting to elude a law officer who stopped him after he allegedly was clocked going 96 miles per hour through the scene of a crash on Montana 206 at 11 p.m.

“All emergency vehicles had emergency lights flashing and personnel were standing on scene,” prosecutor Andrew Clegg wrote in court documents.

“Suddenly a pickup truck drove through the scene at extremely high rate of speed, nearly striking several first responders and vehicles.”

Ballard allegedly did not stop when a Montana Highway Patrol trooper turned on his lights and tried to stop him, until he reached the end of a dead-end road.

A Montana Highway Patrol trooper noted that an overwhelming alcoholic odor was allegedly wafting from Ballard.

A breath test indicated that Ballard’s blood alcohol concentration was .149. The legal limit is .08.

Ballard faces up to 10 years in prison, six months in county jail and $51,000 in fines if convicted of both counts.

He is set to be arraigned on Jan. 12.

Reporter Megan Strickland can be reached at 758-4459 or mstrickland@dailyinterlake.com.