A Flathead County man pleaded guilty to his ninth DUI on July 28 nearly five months after he crashed into multiple vehicles at an Evergreen auto dealership.
During a change of plea hearing before Judge David Ortley, Gary Gene Gilbert pleaded guilty to felony driving under the influence and criminal mischief. He will be sentenced on Oct. 20.
According to court documents, Gilbert was drunk on March 11 when he made a wide turn off Evergreen Drive, striking another vehicle. Gilbert then allegedly pulled into the Valley Motors lot and struck two more vehicles. A Flathead County Sheriff’s deputy tried to pull Gilbert over but the man allegedly continued on U.S. Highway 2 before stopping at a tire store. When the deputy made contact with Gilbert he noted that the man appeared to be drunk. Gilbert allegedly refused to take a breathalyzer test. Gilbert was then taken to Kalispell Regional Medical Center for a blood test.
According to court documents, Gilbert has been convicted of driving under the influence on eight different occasions between 1990 and 2006.