Man Who Died in Vehicle Crash North of Belfry on Saturday Identified

By Denise Rivette

Carbon County Sheriff and Coroner Josh McQuillan today identified the driver who died Saturday in the one-vehicle crash on Highway 72 in Carbon County as Samuel Woods, a 75 year old male from Belfry. The victim had earlier been identified by the Montana Highway Patrol as a Roberts resident.

Saturday afternoon at approximately 2:21, Woods was driving a Ford F150 pickup truck southbound on Montana Highway 72 when his truck went off the right side of the road near Dutch Lane north of Belfry. After exiting the roadway, the truck crashed through a fence and into a tree where it caught on fire. A witness pulled the unresponsive Woods out of the wreck before the fire went on to burn approximately one acre. Woods was pronounced dead at the scene. He was wearing a seat belt and no contributing factors (speed, drugs, alcohol) are suspected.

Belfry, Bridger, and Red Lodge Fire and EMS responded along with deputies and Montana Highway Patrol. The accident is under investigation.