Montana’s Superintendent of Public Instruction, Susie Hadalen, finds herself embroiled in controversy after being arrested in Belgrade for driving under the influence. Since it’s her first DUI, Gallatin County Prosecutors are pursuing the case as a misdemeanor.
The incident unfolded early last Sunday morning when a Belgrade police officer noticed her vehicle speeding. In his citation, he wrote that she made a turn that “almost cut off several vehicles that had the right-of-way.” The officer reported that Hadalen had “a dazed expression and…was fumbling around to reach the window button” to lower the drivers side window.
The Superintendent was taken to the Gallatin County Detention Center where she posted a bond of $885. She’s due in Municipal Court in Belgrade on Tuesday, July 8th.
For her part, Susie Hadalen tells us she apologizes and takes “full responsibility for my lapse in judgement.” She goes on to thank the Belgrade Police Department “for their professionalism and commitment to public safety.” She says the incident will “in no way impact my service to the people of Montana.”
