Fettig arraigned in court on DUI charge

A Libby man faces multiple charges, including driving under the influence, after authorities stopped him for making a turn from the wrong lane of U.S. Highway 2 in early May.

Jason M. Fettig, 39, pleaded not guilty to driving under the influence, fourth or subsequent offense, driving a motor vehicle with a suspended license and taking an improper turn in Lincoln County District Court on June 22. He was initially held on a $10,000 bond.

Fettig came to the attention of law enforcement after a witness complained of a motorist in a pickup truck spinning the tires and driving all over the road about 9:07 p.m., May 6. According to court documents, the erratic driving occurred along U.S. Highway 2 near a local supermarket and hardware store.

Deputy Luke Hauke of the Lincoln County Sheriff’s Office spotted a vehicle matching the description given to law enforcement turning into the parking lot of a local motel shortly thereafter. In an affidavit, Hauke wrote that the motorist took the turn from the median lane.

The driver, identified as Fettig, had only a Montana-issued identity card on him, according to Hauke. Dispatchers later determined that Fettig’s Oregon driver’s license was suspended.

In the affidavit, Hauke wrote that Fettig admitted to drinking alcohol. He had glossy eyes, could not accurately determine the passage of time and missed the tip of his nose twice during the sobriety test, court documents said.

During a bond reduction hearing June 22, Deputy County Attorney Jeff Zwang said that Fettig admitted to knowingly driving with a suspended license to pick up more alcohol at the liquor store. Zwang opposed a request by the defendant to have his bond lowered.

Fettig was previously convicted of driving under the influence in 2001, 2002 and 2003.

An omnibus hearing for the case is scheduled for Aug. 24 with a pretrial conference slated for Oct. 5. Were it to move forward, the case would go to trial in November.