By Mira Brody VP MEDIA
On July 9 at approximately 5:45 p.m., a rollover motor vehicle crash took place on U.S. Highway 191 at mile marker 71, located immediately north of the mouth of Gallatin Canyon in the northbound passing zone area.
The crash resulted in the death of one driver. The victim was traveling southbound in a pickup truck towing a camper trailer.
According to a July 9 press release from the Gallatin County Sheriff’s Office, it is believed that the crash may have been caused by a dark sedan traveling northbound at a high rate of speed and weaving in and out of traffic.
“My understanding was that there was some reckless driving by the [sedan] … and that caused the vehicle that was heading south to take some evasive action and crash, and unfortunately the driver passed away,” Sgt. John Metcalfe with the Montana Highway Patrol told EBS in a phone call.
The incident is under ongoing, joint investigation between the Gallatin County Sheriff’s Office and Montana Highway Patrol. They are seeking the public’s assistance in identifying the dark colored sedan. Anyone with dash camera footage of the incident or information about the vehicle, including make, model, color, or license plate number is asked to contact Montana Highway Patrol Dispatch at 855-647-3777.
“Especially on two lanes, and driving in Montana right now in the summer when we have so many tourists and extra vehicles on the road, it is important to drive the speed limit, wear seatbelt, and you don’t have to pass vehicles in two lanes,” Metcalfe said.
The name of the victim has not yet been released by law enforcement.
