New Year's Eve Sees Zero Accidents, DUIs

The Valley County Search and Rescue, in partnership with the three local wrecker services (Thompson & Sons, Glenn’s Automotive and Hi-Line Collision), gave rides to 206 New Year’s Eve celebrants Dec. 31 and Jan. 1. According to Search and Rescue director Rob Brunelle, that number more than doubled the 2018 New Year’s celebration. As a result of the ride program, the Valley County DUI Task Force will donate $500 to Valley County Search and Rescue.

According to Sheriff Tom Boyer, the program likely contributed to a New Year’s Eve that saw no motor vehicle accidents and no DUI charges throughout the evening. According to Boyer, there were 15 traffic stops made that evening, none of which involved alcohol or drugs.

In response to the news about the number of residents who decided to get a ride home from the program Sheriff Boyer commented, “I think that is something the people of Valley County should be very proud of.”

Alvie Hallock, then the director of Search and Rescue, founded the ride share program in the 1980s as a way to raise funds and reduce risky driving behavior in the area. It has continued ever since and the program this year had six volunteers: Randy Isakson, Shyanne Isakson and Jeron Wesen, with Search and Rescue and the fire department; Tom and Dawn Thompson, of Thompson & Sons; Tom Pewitt, of Hi-Line Collision; and Doug Cook, of Glenn’s Automotive, who covered the Fort Peck area, according to program advertising.