Woman faces DUI, criminal endangerment charges after pursuit

A 61-year-old woman from Rapid City, South Dakota is facing charges of driving under the influence and criminal endangerment following an incident that began with a vehicle pursuit and ended at Logan State Park.

According to the Montana Highway Patrol Virgil Sadewasser, Tammy Joe Beckedahl was identified by troopers as the driver of a 2010 Chevrolet pickup that was involved in a pursuit with county authorities on July 19. According to court documents, law enforcement located the vehicle at Logan State Park Campground. 

Troopers reported finding two individuals at the site—Beckedahl and Logan Howell—both of whom exhibited signs of intoxication, including slurred speech, slow movements and bloodshot eyes.

A Lincoln County sheriff’s deputy arrived on scene, and officers asked who had been driving the truck during the pursuit. While Howell declined to answer, the deputy said Beckedahl had been positively identified as the driver.

According to the incident report, officers noted the odor of alcohol on Beckedahl’s breath. She reportedly registered a blood alcohol concentration of 0.145 during a preliminary breath test.

Beckedahl was taken into custody and allegedly admitted to being the driver during the pursuit. However, she denied fleeing from deputies and claimed she had not consumed alcohol after arriving at the campground.

A conviction for criminal endangerment may result in a 10-year term in the Montana State Prison. A conviction on the DUI charge, first offense, may result in a six-month term in the county jail.