Deadly Crash at Pipestone; Should DOT Re-examine Area Signage?

In the early morning hours of Saturday, July 31, 2021 sirens went off, notifying Whitehall and surrounding areas of a wreck on I-90 by Pipestone. As the day passed, stories circulated on social media of the crash and what little details were known about the accident, which claimed the lives of four and put two others in the hospital.

On Monday, August 2nd, Sheriff Craig Doolittle released the names of the deceased.

Forty-five year old Adrian Hollis, of Spokane, was driving a 2003 Chevrolet Suburban eastbound in the westbound lane on Interstate 90 early Saturday, around 5 a.m. He collided head-on with a 2021 Chevrolet Traverse, killing himself and three of the South Dakotan passengers in the Traverse: Andrew Hoefert,. 32, Jennifer Hoefert, 37, and Abigail Veitek, 14. All four were declared dead at the scene, according to the Montana Highway Patrol. It was noted by the MHP that the 32 year old male and 14 year old female were not wearing seatbelts.

Two children in the Traverse, a 2-year-old male and an 8-year-old female, survived but required hospitalization. The boy was restrained as a rear seat passenger; the girl was not, police said. Information about their condition was not immediately available.

The crash remains under investigation. Montana Highway Patrol reported it believes the Hollis was under the influence.

Doolittle noted on a separate topic to the Ledger that in the last year or so, with just a cursory look, Jefferson county has had over 13 wrong-way driver calls on the interstates. Several locals also mentioned to the Ledger that the signage at both Homestake and Pipestone exits and entrance ramps aren’t clear, especially at the Homestake exit where the ramps loop around.

While the investigation is still ongoing, and may be the tragic circumstance of driving under the influence, possibly a re-examination of entry and exit signage may be in order to prevent further lives lost. Please contact the Montana DOT if you also feel this should be evaluated.