Munyan pleads not guilty following auto wreck

A Butte man accused of his seventh driving while under the influence incident has pleaded not guilty to the charges in Lincoln County District Court.

Authorities arrested Timothy Gale Munyan on Nov. 30 after he crashed his vehicle while allegedly driving drunk on U.S. Highway 2. He faces charges of driving under the influence, fifth or subsequent offense, operation of a noncommercial motor vehicle with a blood alcohol content above .08, careless driving and a seatbelt violation.

After awaiting a show cause hearing, Munyan was arraigned on the charges on Feb. 24.

According to court documents, Montana Highway Patrol responded to reports of a wrecked vehicle near Paul Bunyon Lane about 5:45 p.m. Upon arrival, Trooper Bryce Ford found the vehicle, a Jeep, had come to a rest after striking a large tree.

Witnesses told Ford that Munyan had asked them for a flashlight after the wreck and then returned to the Jeep to remove beer bottles and toss them into the nearby woods, court documents said.

When Ford spoke with Munyan, he had blood on his face and head, suffering from cuts and contusions. Ford also reported smelling alcohol, according to court documents.

Emergency responders treated Munyan for his injuries and took him to Cabinet Peaks Medical Center, where blood was drawn, court documents said. Ford, meanwhile, found a beer bottle by the driver’s side window and several more in nearby bushes, court documents said.

Munyan was previously convicted for driving under the influence in 1993, 1994, twice in 1995, 2010 and 2013. An omnibus hearing was scheduled for April 20 with a pretrial conference set for June 1.