Mission Valley man accused of driving drunk with toddler in vehicle

A Mission Valley man was arrested and jailed after he was allegedly drunk with a toddler in his vehicle in Kalispell.

Linus Juniper Big Beaver III, 32, of St. Ignatius, is charged with felony criminal endangerment after an incident earlier this week at Walmart. He is in the Flathead County Detention Center on $10,000 bail.

According to the charging document, at 2:04 p.m. Monday, Feb. 15, Kalispell Police officers were called to the store because a man was slumped over the steering wheel of a running vehicle illegally parked in the fire lane.

Officers saw Big Beaver III outside the vehicle surrounded by first responders. The accused allegedly got into the vehicle and tried to drive away. An officer slapped the side of the car and it stopped.

Big Beavers III initially refused to get out of the car or identify himself. Both officers reported the odor of alcohol and saw an open can of beer in the center cup holder. His breath allegedly smelled of alcohol, his eyes were bloodshot and water and his speech was slurred.

He was eventually helped out of the vehicle and reportedly had a hard time maintaining his balance.

Officers saw a 3-year-old child strapped into a car seat in the back of the vehicle. The child’s mother arrived, confirmed Big Beaver III’s identity and said he had been drinking all day.

Officers said Big Beavers III wouldn't perform any roadside tests and refused to give a breath or blood sample. He was then taken to the Kalispell Police Department for more testing and then fell asleep in the booking area.

After officers got a warrant for a blood test, the defendant was taken to Kalispell Regional Medical Center for the draw. The sample was sent to Montana State Crime Lab for analysis.

Big Beaver’s arraignment is scheduled for 1:30 p.m. Thursday, Feb. 25.

Scott Shindledecker may be reached at sshindledecker@dailyinterlake.com or at 406-758-4441.