Two Men Killed in Tragic Wrong-Way Crash on I-90 Identified

Broadwater County Sheriff Nick Rauser has identified the two men who tragically died in a head-on, wrong-way crash on I-90 near Three Forks on Wednesday, July 31. The victims were Robert Askins, a 56-year-old from Spokane, Washington, and Jason Sullivan, a 50-year-old from Basin, Montana.

According to a post on the Broadwater County Sheriff’s Office Facebook page, Robert Askins was driving the wrong-way vehicle. At around 7:19 a.m., a witness reported seeing Askins make a U-turn while traveling eastbound on I-90, then continue westbound in the eastbound lane. Several other callers also reported a wrong-way driver on the interstate.

Just four minutes later, dispatch received a call about a head-on collision at mile marker 272. Both men were found dead at the scene upon the arrival of emergency responders. The tragic crash has left both communities mourning the sudden loss of these two men.

In addition to the human toll, two dogs were found in Askins’ vehicle. They were taken to a veterinary clinic for treatment. Sadly, one of the dogs had to be euthanized due to the severity of its injuries, while the other dog survived and is currently being adopted into a new home.

The Montana Highway Patrol and the Broadwater County Sheriff’s Office are continuing to investigate the circumstances surrounding the crash. They are seeking any additional information that may help in their investigation. Anyone with relevant information is urged to contact the Montana Highway Patrol or the Broadwater County Sheriff’s Office at 406-266-3441.

Sheriff Rauser expressed his deepest sympathies to the families of Robert Askins and Jason Sullivan, as well as everyone else affected by this tragic incident. He also extended his gratitude to the numerous agencies that responded to the crash, including Three Forks Fire, Three Forks Ambulance, Willow Creek Fire, Jefferson County Sheriff’s Office, Gallatin County Sheriff’s Office, Montana Highway Patrol, Department of Transportation, Ron’s Diesel, Hardaway Vet Clinic, and Heart of the Valley for their assistance and support during this difficult time.

The community is rallying together to support the families and honor the memories of the two men lost in this heartbreaking accident. The investigation continues as authorities work to understand the factors that led to this tragic event.