Missoula County deputy charged with speeding in crash that killed man set to go to trial

A Missoula County Sheriff's Office deputy is set to go to trial this week for a speeding ticket in the case of an on-duty crash that left one man dead and the deputy injured.

Speeding tickets are usually simple. You go too fast, you get a ticket, you usually pay it. Maybe, if you want to contest that ticket, you have a hearing or two with a judge.

In the case of Missoula County Sheriff's Office Deputy Michael Baker's speeding ticket, lawyers, witnesses and a full jury trial will take place in Missoula County Justice Court starting on Thursday.

Missoula County Attorney Matt Jennings, who's prosecuting the case, told the Missoulian in a phone call last week that it's very unusual for a speeding ticket to go to trial.

"It may be the first time in my career," Jennings said.

On May 14, 2024, Baker was working on duty as a deputy sheriff, on his way with fellow deputies to serve a search warrant at a residence, according to court documents. They were searching for evidence in the case of Matthew Tack, who was under investigation for child sexual exploitation material production and distribution, Baker's attorney Lance Jasper told the Missoulian. (Tack has since pleaded guilty to the charges and will be sentenced in April, court documents show.)

Baker was traveling at 84 mph in the left-hand lane, according to court documents, in an area with a speed limit of 70 mph. He didn't have his emergency lights on.

Another driver, Gaylord Angst, 81, attempted to turn left onto the highway at an intersection. Baker hit Angst, who died from his injuries, while Baker was left injured. Montana Highway Patrol troopers determined that Angst wasn't supposed to be driving due to his age and capabilities and had turned when it wasn't clear to do so, and that Baker had right of way.

On May 1, 2025, Baker was charged with speeding on a non-interstate road, a misdemeanor, in Missoula County Justice Court.

"As far as I know, he's a great deputy," Jennings told the Missoulian. "It's nothing personal at all."

Jennings said the reason for the charge is simple: making sure everyone is treated equally before the law.

But Jasper told the Missoulian in a phone call last week that Baker shouldn't have been treated like any other person, adding he wasn't a civilian — he was a law enforcement officer carrying out his duty.

"This is lunacy," Jasper said. "Every officer is now going to question whether or not to respond to a scene."

Baker was severely injured by the crash, Jasper said. One reason Baker is fighting this ticket is that it will affect his ability to get money from insurance for medical treatment, he added.

Jasper told the Missoulian on Monday that Baker is still employed as a deputy at the Missoula County Sheriff's Office. Jasper added Baker has been forced to take time off and sometimes placed on light duty due to his injuries, and recently had back surgery related to the injuries from the crash, Jasper said.

Jasper is also representing Baker in a personal injury lawsuit filed last March against Angst's estate.

Under Montana law, law enforcement officers enjoy certain immunities from traffic liability, but only while running their emergency lights. Jasper said this law is outdated and needs to be revisited, adding Baker wasn't using his lights out of caution that the evidence might be destroyed if residents were tipped off to law enforcement presence.

"The philosophy of my office and me is that everyone gets treated equally," Jennings said. "What's really important for us is that our decisions are made on the merits."

The trial is set to begin on Thursday in Missoula County Justice Court before Justice of the Peace Alex Beal.