GREAT FALLS, MT — Two people died and two others were injured in a two-vehicle collision on Montana Highway 200 on Sunday, January 4, 2026.
The crash occurred around 9:45 a.m., approximately 11 miles east of Lincoln, near mile marker 84. Authorities reported that a Ram 1500 pickup, traveling eastbound with four occupants from Wolf Point, lost control while making a right turn and collided with a Kia Telluride carrying four occupants.
Two occupants of the Kia, identified as Michael Smith, 68, and Josy McLean, 60, both from Great Falls, were pronounced dead at the scene. Their bodies were transported to the Montana State Crime Lab in Missoula for autopsy, according to the Montana Highway Patrol (MHP).
The remaining two individuals in the Kia, a 43-year-old woman from Belt and a 65-year-old woman from Great Falls, were taken to St. Patrick Hospital in Missoula with undisclosed injuries. All occupants in both vehicles were reported to be wearing seatbelts, and no evidence of alcohol or drugs was found to be a factor in the crash.
Emergency response included Lewis & Clark County deputies, who arrived at the scene by 11:30 a.m. Lane closures were in effect during the investigation, which is ongoing.
The MHP's crash report was released on Tuesday, clarifying initial inaccuracies regarding victim names and the accident date. No further information has been disclosed, but updates will follow as available.