Man faces 20 charges for reported DUI crash in Great Falls
A man accused of causing a crash in Great Falls while under the influence of alcohol that resulted in five people being injured faces 20 criminal charges.
Charging documents say Richard Lee Nieman was driving in the area of 40th Ave. N.E. and 2nd Street shortly after midnight Friday when a police officer attempted to stop him for pulling into a residence’s front yard.
The report says Nieman drove through a yard and back onto the road, failing to stop for the officer. Nieman reportedly drove through a field and through the residential area with his lights turned off, reaching speeds exceeding 70 mph. The officer called off the pursuit for safety reasons.
Documents say Nieman ran a red light at Central Avenue West and hit a truck that had a green light.
Nieman had two people in his car and the truck had three people inside at the time of the crash, reports say. All five occupants required treatment at the emergency room, according to documents.
Documents say Nieman ran from the scene of the crash, but the officer was able to catch up an detain him.
The officer reported Nieman smelled of alcohol and an opened alcoholic beverage container was found near the driver’s seat in Nieman’s car. A search warrant was granted for a blood draw, and the results of the blood test is still pending.
Nieman is charged with five counts of criminal endangerment, a felony, along with five counts of negligent vehicular assault, driving under the influence of alcohol (3rd offense), reckless driving, fleeing or eluding a peace officer, obstructing a peace officer, failure to remain at the scene of an accident, failure to give notice of an accident by quickest means with damage exceeding $1,000, driving while suspended or revoked, failure to carry proof of insurance, fail to dim within 1,000 feet of oncoming traffic and failure to obey red traffic signal, all misdemeanors. He was expected to make his initial court appearance Friday.
Documents say Nieman has multiple felonies, misdemeanors and traffic offenses on his record and at least five probation revocations.
The state requested bail be set at $50,000.