NewsLocal News

Actions

Update: Woman dies following downtown Billings crash, 2 arrested

080321 1ST AVE N FATAL WIDE.jpg
bighair, justin.JPG
Hunter, Payton.jpg
080321 1ST AVE N FATAL TIPPED TR.jpg
080321 1ST AVE N FATAL TRUCK.jpg
Posted at 9:36 PM, Aug 03, 2021
and last updated 2021-08-04 21:31:38-04

Update Wednesday 5:15 p.m.

First Avenue North has reopened to traffic in both directions, according to Billings police.

Update Wednesday 10:15 a.m.

Two men have been arrested following the fatal crash.

Police said in a press release that Payton Hunter, 19 of Billings, and Justin Bighair, 33 of Garryowen, face charges related to the Tuesday evening crash that killed a 19-year-old Billings woman.

Police gave this description of the crash:

Hunter was driving a Dodge Ram 2500 west on First Avenue North when it collided with a Toyota Tundra driven by Bighair as it was turning east onto First Avenue North from North 12th Street.

The 19-year-old woman was a passenger in the Ram and died at the scene. A 31-year-old passenger in the Tundra was treated at the scene and released.

Hunter and Bighair were taken to the hospital for treatment then taken into custody by police on charges related to the crash.

Hunter faces three counts of felony criminal endangerment, police said. Bighair faces a charge of vehicular homicide while under the influence and three counts of felony criminal endangerment.

________________________________________________________________________________________

Update: Wednesday 8:20 a.m.

A 19-year-old woman died as a result of the crash, Billings police said in an update.

The crash scene on First Avenue North between North 11th Street and North 13th Street will remain closed through most of the morning Wednesday as the investigation continues.

__________________________________________________________________________________________

First Report

A "serious" crash has closed North 11th Street through North 13th Street at First Avenue North through much of Tuesday night, according to Billings police.

The Billings Police Department is investigating the crash.

This is a developing story. Check back for details.