LAME DEER, Mont. – A tragic crash on Tuesday morning resulted in the deaths of three individuals when their car collided with the rear of a school bus on US Highway 212 near Lame Deer.
According to the Montana Highway Patrol (MHP), the incident occurred at approximately 7:02 a.m. near mile marker 38 on the highway. The school bus, driven by a 71-year-old man from Ashland, was stopped to pick up children at the time of the crash. Fortunately, none of the students aboard the bus were injured.
The collision occurred when a Honda Civic, driven by a 19-year-old man from Arkansas, struck the rear of the bus. The force of the impact killed three passengers in the car: a man, a woman, and a female infant. Their identities, including their ages and residences, have not yet been released.
The 19-year-old driver of the vehicle, along with an 18-year-old woman passenger, also from Arkansas, sustained injuries in the crash and were transported to a hospital in Billings. The MHP report indicated that the driver was the only person in the vehicle wearing a seat belt at the time of the crash.
The cause of the crash remains under investigation, though officials have emphasized the importance of seat belt usage and remaining alert while driving, especially in areas where school buses are stopped. This tragic incident serves as a stark reminder of the potential dangers on the road, particularly when caution is not exercised.
The Montana Highway Patrol continues to investigate the crash. Further details are expected to be released as the investigation progresses.
