A recent single-car accident in Montana took the lives of two young men. The 21-year-old driver of the vehicle and another passenger were also injured in the crash. The third passenger was listed in serious condition.

Police believe the driver of the vehicle was intoxicated at the time of the fatal accident. After he was released from the hospital, the 21-year-old was arrested and charged with two counts of vehicular homicide while under the influence and one count of negligent vehicular assault. His bail was set at $100,000.

According to the Montana Highway Patrol, the car in which the young men were travelling was going at least 80 miles per hour when it reached a corner in the road. A state trooper said the speed of the car was “far too great for that corner.”

The vehicle left the roadway, struck a pedestrian crossing sign then rolled. One of the young men, a 20-year-old, was thrown from the vehicle, and he was later declared deceased at the scene. Another passenger also succumbed to fatal injuries.

A combination of alcohol and excessive speed is thought to be the cause of the fatal accident, which occurred in the early-morning hours.

Sadly, one of the deceased young men was also involved in another fatal accident that happened about a year ago. He was a passenger in that crash, as well, which took the life of a young woman. Excessive speed played a part in that accident, too.

The deaths of these young people serve as reminders of the care and caution drivers must exercise on Montana roads. Fatal injuries happen too often because of reckless or distracted driving, and the families of the victims deserve answers, as well as some measure of solace after the loss of a loved one.

Source: Billings Gazette, “Driver in Missoula crash that killed 2 faces felony charges,” Gwen Florio, March 6 2012

Source: Great Falls Tribune, “Western Montana man jailed in weekend crash that killed 2,” March 7, 2012