In the morning hours of Saturday, January 31, 2026, the Gallatin County Coroner’s Office along with Montana Highway Patrol and the Gallatin County Sheriff’s Office investigated a fatal motor vehicle accident involving three motor vehicles at the intersection of East Valley Center Rd and Harper Puckett Rd in Bozeman. A vehicle traveling southbound on Harper Puckett failed to stop at the stop sign and entered East Valley Center, colliding with two vehicles, one traveling eastbound and one traveling westbound. The driver of the eastbound vehicle was pronounced dead on the scene. The driver of the westbound vehicle was transported to Bozeman Health Deaconess Regional Medical Center. The deceased driver was identified as 73-year-old Danny Lake of Gallatin Gateway. The cause of death was determined to be blunt force injuries, and the manner was ruled accidental. The crash is being investigated by Montana Highway Patrol.

Sheriff Springer wishes to express our deepest condolences to the family and friends of Danny Lake during this time.