Man in Jail Charged With 8th DUI [DOCUMENT]

53 year-old Michael Patterson appeared in Missoula justice court Monday afternoon charged with his 8^th DUI, a felony.

According to court documents, Patterson was arrested on Saturday night at the Fast Trip convenience store on Reserve Street, as his vehicle was parked in a handicapped spot on top of several garbage bags placed there by employees for pickup.

When police arrived, two men were observed in the vehicle, and both were drinking from open cans of beer. The driver, identified as Patterson, was placed in custody after police conducted DUI tests. A warrant was obtained and Patterson was taken to St. Patrick Hospital for a blood draw, where he was reportedly verbally abusive to authorities.

Officers advised that Patterson had seven previous DUI convictions.

Judge John Odlin placed Patterson back into the Missoula County jail on $50,000 bail.