GREAT FALLS - A woman has been charged in Great Falls after she reportedly crashed her car into two other vehicles and almost hit a guardrail while driving under the influence with a child in her vehicle.
The incident happened at about 5:20 p.m. on Jan. 24 at and near River Drive and 15th Street. Police officers were notified of a driver in a white Dodge Magnum that crossed into oncoming traffic, nearly hit a guardrail, hit two unoccupied vehicles, and kept driving.
Officers initiated a traffic stop on the Dodge near 2nd Avenue North and 38th Street. The driver - later identified as Marina Rose Rodriguez - had bloodshot, glassy eyes, according to court documents, and performed poorly on a field sobriety test. She refused to provide a breath sample; she did consent to a blood test at Benefis Health System.
According to court documents, officers found a 10-year old child in the car, and also saw part of a car bumper in the back seat, which indicated that Rodriguez knew she had hit another vehicle, stopped her car, and retrieved the damaged bumper. Officers also saw an 18-pack case of Twisted Tea in front of the driver's seat of her car. She asked if she had been drinking, Rodriguez replied that she had a "margarita type" drink at about 1 p.m.
A probable cause affidavit states that Rodriguez has a DUI conviction in 2018, and a revoked driver's license at the time of Friday's incident.
Rodriguez has been charged with:
- Criminal Child Endangerment (DUI) (felony)
- Driving a Motor Vehicle While Privilege To Do So Is Suspended Or Revoked
- Driving Under Influence Alcohol - 2nd Offense
- Habitual Offender Operating Motor Vehicle
- Owner Permitting Operation Of Vehicle Without Liability Insurance - 1st Offense
- Failure To Stop and Provide Identity In Unattended Crash
