39-Year-Old Billings Woman Killed After SUV Crashes Through Guardrail and Plunges 300 Feet Into Yellowstone River

BILLINGS, Mont. — A 39-year-old Billings woman died Monday night, November 2, 2026, after her vehicle crashed through a guardrail and plunged approximately 300 feet into the Yellowstone River.

According to a fatality crash report released by the Montana Highway Patrol, the single-vehicle crash occurred at approximately 9:42 p.m. near the intersection of Yellowstone River Road and Bitterroot Drive in Yellowstone County.

Investigators have identified speed as a suspected factor in the crash.

SUV Failed to Negotiate Turn Before Entering River

The Montana Highway Patrol reports that the woman was driving a Chevrolet Traverse southbound on Bitterroot Drive.

As she approached the intersection of Yellowstone River Road and Bitterroot Drive, the driver failed to negotiate a right-hand turn.

The SUV traveled off the left side of the roadway, crashed through a guardrail and fell approximately 300 feet into the Yellowstone River.

The crash involved only one vehicle.

Driver Sustained Fatal Injuries

The 39-year-old woman sustained fatal injuries in the crash.

No passengers were identified in the report, and no additional injuries were reported.

The victim's name was not included in the information released by the Montana Highway Patrol.

Investigators listed her seat belt use as unknown.

Speed Suspected as Contributing Factor

According to the Montana Highway Patrol, speed is suspected to have contributed to the crash.

Road conditions were reported as mostly dry at the time of the incident.

Neither alcohol nor drugs were marked as suspected factors in the report.