Welfare Check Leads to Drug and DUI Charges in Missoula

Missoula, MT (KGVO-AM News) - On November 27, 2025, Missoula Police Department officers responded to the 1700 block of Wyoming Street for a request for a welfare check on a female, who was reportedly slumped over a white SUV. The reporting party stated they honked their vehicle's horn at the female, which did not affect her.  

The officers arrived on scene and found the reported vehicle, a white GMC Acadia, registered to 41-year-old Tricia Potter. Officers approached the vehicle and began knocking on the window. One officer noted the vehicle was running, and when Potter awoke, she held down the accelerator, causing the vehicle's engine to rev.  

The officer explained the reason he was contacting Potter. She denied needing medical, stating she was ok. While speaking with Potter, the officer noted that she had slow/slurred speech and further observed that her pupils were constricted. The officer believed it was possible that Potter was under the influence and asked her to step out of the vehicle.  

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Potter Tried to Hide Pills

Potter then appeared to be attempting to hide or grab something between her legs. The officer observed a small blue pill fall from Potter's hand onto the driver's seat. Through his training and experience, he believed the pill to be fentanyl. As Potter stepped out, the officer observed multiple blue and white pills on the driver's seat.  

Potter was placed into handcuffs and was read her Miranda rights. Potter stated she understood and agreed to speak. Potter admitted to taking one of the pills, stating they were Xanax. Potter further consented to а search of her vehicle.  

During the search, the officer seized the pills from the driver's seat. Finding an assortment of blue and white pills, which, when he reviewed the markings and utilised drugs.com, found the blue pills to be Alrazolam, a schedule 4 benzodiazepine and the white pills to be Lorazepam, a schedule 4 benzodiazepine.  

Within the center console, the officer found two clear plastic vials of a pink/red liquid. The officer recognized the liquid through his training and experience to be methadone, a Schedule 2 drug. The officer also found that the prescription labels of the two vials had been scratched off.  

Potter was Taken to a Holding Cell

Potter was read the Implied Consent Advisory, and she refused to provide a blood sample. Potter was transported to the holding cell at the police station so a blood warrant could be obtained. As Potter was being placed into the cell, several other Lorazepam pills fell from the folds of her clothing.  

After the blood warrant was authorized, officers went to retrieve Potter from the holding cell. They found she was even more sluggish in her speech and movement, so much so that it appeared she fell asleep while attempting to get her shoes on.  

READ MORE: Missoula News - Crime Reports

Potter is currently being charged with felony DUI and felony criminal possession of dangerous drugs. According to court documents, Potter has four prior DUI convictions. Her bond was set at $20,000. 

The information in this article was obtained from sources that are publicly viewable.