Man Dies When Crash Creates Vehicle Fire

An unidentified man died in a three-vehicle crash when his vehicle went on fire on U.S. Highway 2 west of Wolf Point on Saturday night.

According to the Montana Highway Patrol, the male was driving a Mazda MZ6 westbound on the eastbound lane to cause the crash that occurred at about 8:30 p.m. near mile marker 584.

Alcohol and speed are suspected causes of the crash.

Both a Toyota 4Runner, driven by a 43-year-old male of St. Cloud, Minn., and a Chrysler 300C, driven by a 25-year-old male of Williston, N.D., were traveling east. The Mazda struck the Toyota head on and the Mazda started on fire.

The Chrysler then hit both of the other vehicles.

The Mazda was totally burned.

The unidentified male driver was pronounced deceased on the scene. The MHP is working to positively identify the man, but his identity was not available as of presstime.

The driver of the Toyota and his 45-year-old female passenger were injured and transported to the Billings Clinic. Both were wearing seat belts. The driver of the Chrysler was not injured.

It was the 117th fatality on Montana roads this year.