For Immediate Release: August 28, 2026

In the early morning hours of Thursday, August 28, 2026, the Gallatin County Coroner’s Office along with Montana Highway Patrol investigated a fatal motor vehicle accident involving a single motor vehicle near Mile Marker 54 on Highway 191 in the Gallatin Canyon. A vehicle was traveling northbound on Highway 191 when it left the roadway and impacted a tree. The driver was transported to the Bozeman Health Big Sky Medical Center where he was pronounced deceased. The driver was identified as 23-year-old Samuel Hale of Bozeman. Cause of death was determined to be blunt force injuries, and the manner was ruled accidental. Speed is suspected to have played a factor in the accident.

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

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Beker Cuelho, Chief Deputy Coroner