Troy man accused of fifth DUI

A Troy man was arrested for DUI after allegedly pulling out in front of a Montana Highway Patrol trooper during a recent incident at Kootenai Falls.

Dennis Gregory Keen, 57, is facing one felony charge of driving under the influence of alcohol or drugs, fourth or subsequent offense. He also faces two misdemeanor counts for allegedly driving with an open container of alcohol in the vehicle and failing to yield to another vehicle.

Keen pleaded not guilty to the charges on July 15 in Lincoln County District Court while appearing with his public defender Scott B. Johnson. His next court appearance is Aug. 19.

According to the affidavit of probable cause, Trooper Bryce Ford was driving on U.S. 2 at mile marker 21 on June 23 when Keen allegedly pulled out in front of the officer, didn’t accelerate and caused the officer to slow quickly. Ford reported that Keen said he didn’t see the officer until he had turned on his top lights.

Ford said Keen smelled strongly of alcohol, had bloodshot eyes and had trouble standing while leaning against his 1999 GMC Sierra pickup as he walked to the rear. Keen allegedly refused to do a field sobriety test, a breath test, saying he would fail them. He said he should be taken to jail where he offered to supply a breath sample.

Ford asked Keen if he had seen the falls and the man allegedly said he was too drunk to get down there. Keen also said he had about three drinks.

According to Ford, a passenger in Keen’s vehicle was holding two alcohol containers and there was a plastic cup that held tequila and apple juice on the center console.

Ford reported a background check of Keen showed four prior DUI convictions from 1998 to 2005.

According to a 2006 report in the Helena Independent Record, Keen 

was sentenced to 13 months to the Montana Department of Corrections followed by a five-year suspended sentence to the DOC for felony DUI.

As part of his conditions of release, Keen must participate in the 24/7 sobriety program, wear an alcohol monitoring device and submit to alcohol tests twice a day. A positive test may result in him being confined in the county jail.

A conviction on the DUI charge may result in a 5-year Department of Corrections term, including a 13-month placement in a program for alcohol treatment.