Two dead in Sanders County crash

A fatal crash between Plains and Hot Springs on Saturday marked the 75th and 76th deaths on Montana roads in 2018.

Montana Highway Patrol (MHP) responded to a one-vehicle accident at 12:44 a.m. near mile marker 9 on Highway 28. Both the driver and passenger of the westbound vehicle were deceased on arrival, according to the incident report on the MHP website.

Road conditions were clear and there did not appear to be any outside factor causing the Jeep Cherokee’s crash.

Alcohol and drugs are undetermined factors, but excessive speed is thought to be involved in the death of the driver, Gavin Armstrong, Jr., and passenger Jessica Timlick. Both had recently moved to Hot Springs, according to Sanders County Deputy Coroner Greg Davis. According to the incident report, both were 35 years old, neither were wearing seatbelts. Sliding off the shoulder in the opposite lane, the vehicle found impact with a rock wall, ejecting the passenger and coming to rest on the roadway on its top, according to MHP.