Janice Wooden Selstad is facing charges for backing into a glass entryway at the Heritage Inn in Great Falls and then driving away.
Court documents state Great Falls police were called to the Heritage Inn on Fox Farm Road around 7:45 p.m. on Friday, April 5 for a report of a “vehicle vs. building hit and run accident.”
Witnesses said a white Dodge Dakota with a female driver had backed into the entryway and then drove off. The south side of the large glass entryway was destroyed. The damage was estimated at $20,000.
At the time of the incident, the hotel was busy with a 4H event and another event that drew people, including many children, according to court documents.
Security footage shows a white Dodge Dakota back into the hotel and completely disappear into the entryway. The vehicle continues further into the building before driving off.
An officer found a white Dodge Dakota about two blocks from the Heritage Inn. Court documents state the officer saw broken glass and debris on the truck and in the truck bed. A woman appeared to be passed out in the driver’s seat with the keys in the ignition.
After waking the driver up, the officer identified her as Selstad. He observed she had slurred speech and glossy eyes, and detected a strong odor of alcohol, according to court documents.
Selstad agreed to perform standard field sobriety tests, but “continually failed,” according to court documents.
Selstad faces charges for felony criminal endangerment and two misdemeanors for failure to give immediate notice of accidents by quickest means with apparent damage over $1,000 and failure to notify owner after accident resulting in damage to property/fixtures along the highway. She also faces a DUI-related charge.
She appeared to have no criminal history.
