68-Year-Old Texas Resident Killed After Striking Deer and Rolling SUV on Highway 59 in Montana

CUSTER COUNTY, Mont. — A 68-year-old resident of Valley View, Texas, was killed Thursday evening, November 5, 2026, after striking a deer and losing control of an SUV on Montana Highway 59 in Custer County.

According to a fatality crash report released by the Montana Highway Patrol, the single-vehicle crash occurred at approximately 8:42 p.m. near mile marker 27, in the Beebe area.

Investigators identified the collision with a deer and the subsequent rollover as the circumstances surrounding the fatal crash.

SUV Strikes Deer Before Leaving Roadway

The Montana Highway Patrol reports that the driver was traveling southbound on Montana Highway 59 in a Nissan Murano.

As the vehicle approached mile marker 27, it struck a deer in the southbound lane.

Following the collision, the SUV went into a sideways skid and traveled off the left side of the roadway.

The vehicle then began to roll before coming to rest on its driver's side in a ditch.

No other vehicles were involved in the crash.

Driver Sustains Fatal Injuries

The 68-year-old driver sustained fatal injuries in the rollover.

According to the Montana Highway Patrol, the driver was not wearing a seat belt at the time of the crash.

The report specifically identifies lack of seat belt use as a factor.

No passengers were listed in the vehicle, and no additional injuries were reported.

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

Road Conditions Reported as Dry

Investigators reported that Highway 59 was bare and dry at the time of the crash.

Alcohol, drugs and speed were not marked as suspected contributing factors.

The report does not indicate whether the driver attempted to avoid the deer before the collision.