Gallatin County, MT – One person is dead and another injured following a single-vehicle crash near Bozeman on Saturday morning.
The Montana Highway Patrol (MHP) reports that the crash occurred just after 8:00 a.m. near the intersection of Baxter Lane and Monforton School Road. A Jeep Grand Cherokee, driven by a 35-year-old male, was traveling westbound on Baxter Lane with a 43-year-old male passenger when the vehicle left the roadway.
According to MHP, the Jeep went off the south side of the road, crossed a ditch, and then crashed through a fence. A fence post pierced the windshield, striking the passenger in the head. Despite the impact, the Jeep continued moving until it collided with a tree.
Both the driver and passenger were transported to Bozeman Deaconess Hospital for treatment. The passenger later succumbed to his injuries. His name has not been released pending notification of family members. The driver was reported to have non-life-threatening injuries.
The MHP confirmed that the passenger was wearing a seatbelt at the time of the crash, but the driver was not. The report also noted that speed and drugs may have been contributing factors in the incident, though the investigation is ongoing.
This tragic crash serves as a reminder of the dangers of impaired or reckless driving and the critical importance of seatbelt use for all passengers. Authorities are continuing to investigate the circumstances surrounding the crash.
