Fatal Accident

Hospital status of injured Wolf Point men in fatal crash, improves

Posted: Aug 9, 2012 1:20 PM by Angela Douglas - Q2 News

NEAR CUSTER - The health conditions of two Wolf Point men injured in a fatal crash on Interstate 94 near Custer have improved.

Justino (Justin) Hernandez, 22, was previously listed in fair condition at St. Vincent Healthcare, but has been released from the Billings hospital as of Thursday afternoon. Hernandez was the driver in the accident.

Alexander Barr, 21, was listed in critical condition at St. Vincent Healthcare on Wednesday, but was upgraded to good condition Thursday. Barr was a backseat passenger in the vehicle.

Another Wolf Point man was killed in the rollover crash Tuesday night. Yellowstone County Coroner Bill Jones confirmed Kevor Martell, 21, died of injuries sustained the accident.

The Montana Highway Patrol said the accident occurred at approximately 11:55 p.m. Tuesday when Hernandez asked his front seat passenger, Martell, to take control of the steering wheel while he entered phone numbers into his mobile device.

According to the Montana Highway Patrol at mile marker 43 the car swerved into the median of the westbound lanes. When Hernandez tried to regain control, the vehicle rolled.

MHP Trooper Toman Baukema said Hernandez and Martell were fully ejected from the vehicle. Martell died on scene.

Barr was not ejected and was the only person wearing a seatbelt at the time of the crash.

Trooper Baukema said the crash remains under investigation and it is unknown if speed or alcohol were factors in the crash.