Hileman faces tenth driving under the influence conviction after wreck

A Libby man with nine prior driving under the influence convictions was arraigned last month on multiple charges stemming from an alleged alcohol-fueled wreck in July.

Thomas Mayfield Hileman, 71, of Libby, pleaded not guilty to driving under the influence, fifth or subsequent offense, or driving a noncommercial vehicle with a blood alcohol content of more than .08 as well as driving without a license, careless driving and possession of an open alcoholic beverage in a motor vehicle. He entered the plea in Lincoln County District Court on July 27.

Lincoln County Sheriff’s Office deputies arrested Hileman on July 11 not far from where he allegedly wedged his pickup truck into a guardrail near mile marker 10 of Pipe Creek Road.

In an affidavit, Deputy Derek Breiland recounted seeing an empty beer bottle on the floorboard of the truck as he approached the scene about 10:18 p.m. Hileman told Breiland that he had swerved to avoid a deer on the corner and hit the guardrail.

Around that time, Breiland learned from a dispatcher that Hileman had nine prior driving under the influence convictions and lacked a valid driver’s license.

When asked, Hileman allegedly told Breiland he had two beers at a Yaak-based bar. When Breiland pointed out that he could smell alcohol on Hileman’s breath and in the truck, the other man allegedly told him that he spilled his beer during the crash.

Breiland wrote in the affidavit that at another point in the conversation, Hileman admitted to having four beers.

In the subsequent sobriety test, Breiland wrote that Hileman failed the walk and turn portion, even on level ground, as well as the one-leg stand. During the latter, “Hileman did not follow any instructions, tried to use his truck to balance, and performed the test completely wrong,” Breiland wrote.

Breiland wrote that he cut short both tests out of concern that Hileman would injure himself.

Hileman agreed to give Breiland a sample breath, according to court documents, and registered a .172. Breiland then arrested Hileman.

Although injured in the wreck, Hileman declined medical treatment at the scene. He later agreed to go to Cabinet Peaks Medical Center to have his blood drawn as part of the investigation, court documents said.

The driving under the influence, subsequent offense, charge carries a maximum fine of $10,000 and up to five years imprisonment. At minimum, placement in a 13-month program is required. Driving with an open container and careless driving come with a $100 fine each. Driving without a valid license carries a $500 fine.

An omnibus hearing for Hileman is scheduled for Sept. 28 with a pretrial hearing slated for Nov. 2. A trial date is tentatively set for Dec. 15.