Accidents Highlight Need for Vigilance

Two separate highway accidents inflicted injurious damages on vehicles and occupants alike last week in Valley County.

The first occurred on Aug. 19 at 8:05 p.m. A 54-year-old Glasgow resident was piloting his 1997 Harley-Davidson northbound on Highway 24 South near the intersection with Highway 117 when, according to Sergeant Jeffrey W. Kent, a deer jumped onto the road, striking the bike on its left side. The driver lost control, and the motorcycle fell on its side. 

“The driver was not wearing a helmet, and suffered incapacitating injuries,” said Kent. The man was taken by ambulance to Frances Mahon Deaconess Hospital, and from there was airlifted to Billings for further treatment. As of Monday, he was in stable condition, though the injuries remain serious.

No citations were issued. Trooper David Moon was the investigating officer.

The second crash happened on MT 24, near mile marker 76, at 5:30 a.m. on Aug. 23. A Chevy Colorado, headed northbound, drifted onto the right shoulder and overcorrected left, sending the vehicle rolling. Of the five passengers, per Trooper Seth Adams, one was ejected from the pickup, one other sustained serious injuries and possible head trauma, and two were mildly hurt. One was uninjured.

Though bloodwork has not yet been returned, Trooper Adams believes alcohol to have played a factor. As of Monday, the injured parties are in stable condition.