Danette Jane Hill Killed in Billings Car Accident
Fatal collision at 36th Street West and Monad Road adds to push for local traffic control measures
Following a January traffic study that flagged the corner of 36th Street West and Monad Road for safety upgrades, Danette Jane Hill, 67, of Billings, was killed in a crash at the crossing on June 2, according to police.
The collision occurred at 6:16 p.m. when Hill's Lexus GX460 collided with a Subaru Outback. Emergency crews responded to the two-vehicle wreck and transported the driver of the Subaru to a local hospital for treatment.
Hill died from injuries suffered in the impact. The crash adds to a rising toll across the state, as the Montana Department of Transportation reported 198 traffic death statewide in 2025.
City officials noted the intersection was recently evaluated for curb extenders or a mini roundabout following resident complaints about frequent collisions. The crash remains under investigation by local authorities.
How do impaired driving patterns affect Billings corridors?
While the specific circumstances of this collision remain under investigation, traffic safety advocates frequently examine the role of impairment in severe intersection crashes. In car accidents such as this, investigators look closely at driver behavior and toxicology reports to determine liability.
Candice Bond, managing partner at Bond Legal, said, "When impairment is suspected in a fatal crash, investigators work to reconstruct a driver's movements in the hours before impact, drawing on surveillance footage, electronic records, and witness accounts."
Legal counsel can coordinate independently with forensic specialists, ensuring surviving relatives have a complete picture before insurers shape their own narrative, added Bond, who is also a national legal analyst for Accident News.
What does historical crash frequency show for this intersection?
The corner of 36th Street West and Monad Road was the subject of a city traffic study in January, which determined the crossing was eligible for safety upgrades like curb extenders or a roundabout.
Families who lose loved ones in these sudden collisions often face complex legal and financial aftermaths as investigations unfold.
"Funeral costs, lost income, and mounting bills can arrive while a fatal crash investigation is still unfolding, leaving surviving relatives navigating grief and serious financial strain simultaneously. Retaining legal counsel early helps families manage that pressure without making irreversible decisions," noted Stefano Formica, a national legal analyst for Accident News and of counsel at Bond Legal.
Montana wrongful death statute
Under Mont. Code § 27-1-513, surviving family members may file a wrongful death action. Montana applies modified comparative fault (51% bar). The statute of limitations is 3 years.
Recoverable damages may include loss of financial support, loss of companionship, funeral expenses, and the decedent's pre-death pain and suffering.