Woman found guilty of DUI says she was 'roofied' in Whitefish

A Kalispell woman who claimed she was drugged while at a bar in Whitefish was convicted this month of driving under the influence.

A Whitefish Municipal Court jury unanimously found Jessica Lanzaro, 27, guilty of DUI Dec. 13 after hearing a full day of testimony and evidence. The jury deliberated for about three hours before making its decision.

Lanzaro was arrested on Oct. 21, 2012 and charged with DUI after she was pulled over for speeding in Whitefish. She refused to take a breath test, and according to police, exhibited signs of intoxication such as bloodshot eyes.

According to court testimony, Lanzaro spent the evening in Whitefish bar hopping with friends. She said she had three glasses of wine at three different bars before going to Casey’s Bar to dance.

Prior to leaving Casey’s she said she consumed a mixed alcoholic drink, which was brought to her by a friend. She then left the bar to drive home.

Lanzaro said she doesn’t recall much of the night after the mixed drink, only that she remembers seeing police lights in her rearview mirror.

Lanzaro’s attorney Lane Bennett submitted as evidence a September 2013 media release from the Whitefish Police Department warning residents of “unsubstantiated instances where people, both men and women, feel they may have been drugged [while in Whitefish.]”

In the media release, Whitefish Police Chief Bill Dial cautioned bargoers “to protect themselves against persons who might place foreign substances in drinks.”

Bennett said police were inclined to warn residents to protect themselves from being drugged while at local bars “because there is a problem in Whitefish.”

“Because this happens,” he said.

“Was [Lanzaro] slipped a roofie?” he asked the jury. “Did she voluntarily drive?”

He said police failed to fully investigate the case and that Lanzaro should have been advised to get a blood test to detect for possible drugs.

Representing the City of Whitefish, prosecuting attorney Caleb Simpson argued the media release was published nearly a year after Lanzaro was arrested.

Simpson said Lanzaro chose to consume three glasses of wine with no plan of how to safely get back to Kalispell, and that she chose to consume the mixed drink “minutes before getting behind the wheel.”

He said Lanzaro told police, “Just let me go. I will not do it again.”

Lanzaro was fined $685 and $444 for the jury trial. She also must complete the Prime for Life substance abuse program. No jail time was given due to overcrowding issues.