Troy woman accused of driving drunk with infant in car

A local woman is facing several charges after allegedly fleeing from police while driving drunk with an infant in the vehicle.

Rhayne Trinnity Norman is accused of criminal child endangerment, or in the alternative, felony DUI, two counts of criminal endangerment, fleeing from police and disorderly conduct.

Norman is being held in the Lincoln County Detention Center on $40,000 bail. She pleaded not guilty to all charges during her arraignment Monday in district court.

She faces a maximum of 10 years in the Montana State Prison on the endangerment charges. Norman's next court appearance is set for Nov. 12.

According to the supplemental narrative by county deputy Ben Fisher, his shift was about to end on Oct. 5 when a disturbance call at a local store came in. The caller said a silver 2011 Chevy Impala was headed toward Troy at a high rate of speed. Deputy Joshua Brabo headed to the store while Fisher attempted to locate the car.

Fisher reported the car was driving about 75 mph on U.S. 2 as it entered a 60 mph zone near the weigh station at the intersection of Highway 56.

The vehicle then slowed and turned left before making a right turn on to Silver Tip Way. Fisher then received a report of an infant in the vehicle and he slowed his pursuit, “so as not to push the driver into a more serious situation.”

Fisher then reported the Impala failed to safely negotiate the 90-degree turn where Silver Tip Way turns on to Hummingbird Lane. The vehicle left the pavement, nearly struck a large boulder, drove up on a dirt bank before running over another large rock and returning to the road. It spun 90 degrees facing Fisher’s patrol vehicle.

In the charging document, Fisher reported turning his vehicle to block the Impala. It stopped and a woman exited the driver’s seat and went to the rear driver’s side door. Fisher ordered everyone to show him their hands and they did, except for the woman, later identified as Norman. As Fisher attempted to hand cuff her, she reportedly tried to pull away from him and try to place a phone call.

Fisher said he knew the two adult passengers in the car from prior interactions with law officers. Sgt. Luke Hauke then arrived at the scene. Both officers reported indicators that Norman may be under the influence.

Some of the field tests indicated the woman was under the influence and a breath test allegedly indicated a blood alcohol content of .191.

Following a verbal argument, Fisher got Norman to call a relative to come and get her seventh-month-old daughter.

Fisher reported taking Norman to the county jail. There a second breath test indicated a BAC level of .168.

Brabo’s report detailed the disturbance at the store which involved a verbal argument between a store employee and Norman. The employee thought Norman was under the influence of drugs. The employee said she was discussing a Halloween candy bowl before a disagreement began over the difference between Halloween and the fall season. The employee said Norman became verbally aggressive and she feared for her safety before escorting the accused out of the store.

During the chase, officers learned Norman was on probation.

Brabo then joined the other officers at the scene of the arrest. He took care of the child before a family member arrived to take the child.