Fatal crash survivors expected to recover, Townsend School District offers grief counseling

Nolan Lister

The 62-year-old man and 13-year-old girl who survived a fatal traffic accident in Townsend Wednesday night are expected to recover from their injuries, according to the Broadwater County Sheriff’s Office.

Broadwater County Sheriff Nick Rauser said Friday he was told by people close to the family that the young girl who was flown to Billings Clinic for her injuries is expected to recover.

Rauser also said the man driving the other vehicle “had very minor injuries” and is expected to recover.

According to the Montana Highway Patrol accident report, Broadwater County dispatchers received a call about 8:20 p.m. Wednesday about a crash on Highway 287 and Trailhead View Drive near Townsend.

The man, driving a Nissan pickup truck, was southbound on Highway 287 when he collided with the two girls attempting to cross the highway at Trailhead View Drive in a Polaris side-by-side utility terrain vehicle.

People are also reading…

The two girls were ejected from the vehicle. The passenger, 12-year-old Karli Sandidge, died from her injuries, authorities said.

Rauser called the accident “heartbreaking.”

“It rocks a small community when something like this happens,” he said.

As part of his daily routine, Rouser

View Source