Hungry Horse motorist who allegedly drove drunk with 3-year-old in vehicle hit with felony charge
Robert Edward Roy Welch. (Photo courtesy the Flathead County Sheriff's Office)
A Hungry Horse man accused of driving drunk with a 3-year-old child in the backseat earlier this month is now facing a felony charge.
Prosecutors brought Robert Edward Roy Welch, 30, up on one count of felony criminal child endangerment in Flathead County District Court following his March 2 arrest in Columbia Falls. Held in the county jail with bail set at $75,000, Welch is expected to be arraigned before Judge Heidi Ulbricht on April 2.
A Flathead County Sheriff's Office deputy pulled over Welch's speeding Nissan Versa near the intersection of Canyon Road and U.S. 2 about 1:22 p.m., according to court documents. Welch allegedly drove 80 mph in a 55-mph zone.
Welch allegedly exited the Nissan, ignoring the deputy's commands to get back inside the subcompact sedan. The deputy drew his gun after Welch seemed to be reaching into the car or his pants, court documents said.
Welch allegedly continued to ignore instructions, prompting the deputy to call for backup. When help arrived in the form of a Columbia Falls Police officer, Welch was instructed to walk backward toward them. Telling the pair to "shut the [expletive] up," Welch did as he was told, court documents said.
Although the deputy reported smelling the odor of alcohol emanating from Welch and noted the 30-year-old boasted slurred speech and bloodshot and watery eyes, Welch denied drinking as he was placed into a patrol vehicle, according to court documents.
Glancing into the Nissan Versa, the deputy spotted open containers of alcohol, a pack of beer and a 3-year-old child in the rear passenger seat.
Taken to the county jail, Welch allegedly refused to participate in field sobriety tests, but agreed to provide a blood sample.
Prosecutors noted in charging documents that Welch has a prior driving under the influence conviction out of Great Falls Municipal Court and a warrant for his arrest for allegedly failing to follow substance abuse recommendations.
If convicted, Welch faces up to 10 years in Montana State Prison and a $50,000 fine.
News Editor Derrick Perkins can be reached at 406-758-4430 or dperkins@dailyinterlake.com. If you value local journalism, pledge your support at dailyinterlake.com/support.