Details leading up to and including a hit and run incident that occurred at the Blue Cat Bar parking lot Saturday morning September 11 in Huntley are still emerging Wednesday afternoon as the Yellowstone County Sheriff’s Office and Montana Highway Patrol are asking for information to come forward. The call was reported to the Billings 911 Call center at 4:04am. (photo by Jonathan McNiven)
The Yellowstone County Sherriff’s Office, Montana Highway Patrol and Worden Ambulance responded to a 911 call reporting of a vehicle vs. pedestrian crash at The Blue Cat Bar located at 139 Northern Avenue in Huntley. The caller reported that a female was hit by a vehicle, but it was unknown if the vehicle was still in the area. The caller said the victim was conscious and bleeding during the 911 call that was placed at 4:04 am. Details leading up to the incident remain uncertain.
Worden Ambulance responded, locating an adult female on scene, who was found to be conscious but sustained obvious apparent injuries and was transported to Billings Clinic Hospital for care according to Worden Fire Chief, Phillip Hackmann.
Yellowstone County Deputy Welton having arrived first and eventually followed by Trooper Moran of MHP arrived on scene around 5:00 a.m. was unable to locate the victim. She had already been transported to Billings Clinic Hospital by that time. The adult female was admitted to Billings Clinic Hospital. MHP Captain Hayter later confirmed that the adult female was moved from ICU as of Tuesday late afternoon.
“Alcohol and/or drugs are a suspected factor in the case. This continues to be an ongoing investigation, and we are actively following up on leads,” according to Captain Hayter of the Montana Highway Patrol.
According to Yellowstone County Sherriff Mike Linder, “…it is believed that MHP is investigating this accident as a hit and run, but the sheriff’s dept. is following up in case this develops into an assault.”
If anyone witnessed this accident and has more details, “they can call the Sheriff’s Office at 256-2929 or MHP if they have information. If the information indicates this was an intentional act, we will be the lead on this. If it was a hit and run, the MHP will take it. Either way both will be doing their follow-up, regardless of whose jurisdiction it is,” according to Sheriff Mike Linder.
Montana Highway Patrol is encouraging anyone with information regarding this case to contact MHP referencing case # 21-118164.
Several attempts to contact Pam Gabel, the owner of the Blue Cat Bar, for comment remain unsuccessful.
