EBS STAFF
Two separate motor vehicle accidents resulted in fatalities in or near Bozeman during the week of Oct. 20.
On Tuesday afternoon, Oct. 22, a semi truck collided with multiple smaller vehicles on I-90 east, resulting in the death of one car’s driver. The driver of the semi truck, a 53-year-old Billings man, told authorities he was distracted while checking his email, according to a Montana Highway Patrol release.
The semi truck carried its highway speed into a construction zone, where cars ahead slowed in anticipation of the zone. The truck rear-ended a Volkswagen Golf hatchback, causing the smaller vehicle to drive off the side of the road. Its driver, a 42-year-old female from Bozeman, was pronounced dead on scene by first responders and has not been identified as of Oct. 24.
The truck continued and struck a Subaru Ascent, which side-swiped a Ford Explorer. Both cars drove off the right side of the highway, but none of the occupants suffered injuries.
The semi truck came to rest after driving off the highway and striking a fence.
On Wednesday morning, Oct. 23, the Gallatin County Sheriff’s Office, coroner’s office and Montana Highway Patrol responded to a fatal motor vehicle crash on Jackrabbit Lane near Addie Lane, north of Four Corners.
According to a press release from Montana Highway Patrol, the cargo truck was driving southbound toward Four Corners in the right lane. Witnesses reported the motorcyclist was traveling in the same direction at a high rate of speed, colliding with the left side of the cargo truck as it made a U-turn. MHP listed speed as a suspected factor in the crash.
The motorcyclist, identified as 27-year-old Damian Xavier Saavedra of Belgrade, was pronounced deceased at the scene. In a press release, Sheriff Dan Springer extended condolences to the family and friends of Mr. Saavedra.
