Gallatin County officials have released the name of the victim in a fatal car accident that occurred on January 31, 2026. The incident took place at the intersection of East Valley Center Road and Harper Puckett Road in Bozeman.
According to authorities, a vehicle traveling southbound on Harper Puckett Road failed to stop at a stop sign and entered East Valley Center Road, where it collided with two other vehicles—one heading eastbound and one heading westbound. The driver of the eastbound vehicle was pronounced dead at the scene. The driver of the westbound vehicle was taken to Bozeman Health Deaconess Regional Medical Center.
The Gallatin County Coroner’s Office identified the deceased as Danny Lake, age 73, from Gallatin Gateway. The cause of death was determined to be blunt force injuries, and the manner of death was ruled accidental. Montana Highway Patrol is leading the investigation into the crash.
Sheriff Dan Springer stated: “Sheriff Springer wishes to express our deepest condolences to the family and friends of Danny Lake during this time.”
