Bozeman police offer update on deadly pedestrian crash from February

BOZEMAN, Mont. — Bozeman Police Department has released findings from its investigation into a crash that killed a local woman last month.

Leslie Brown died after being struck by a vehicle in a pedestrian crosswalk on West Oak Street on February 26.

According to the police report, a juvenile driver was traveling west on Oak Street in the outside lane when another vehicle ahead stopped to allow Brown to cross. The juvenile changed lanes and continued through the posted crosswalk, striking Brown as she crossed.

"The investigation has determined at this point that excessive speed was not a factor in the collision," Bozeman Police Chief Jim Veltkamp said. "Instead, inattentive and distracted driving appear to be the primary factors that led to this crash."

Veltkamp says the investigation indicates the driver was distracted by activity in the vehicle and failed to anticipate why the other vehicle had stopped at the crosswalk.

The juvenile driver's identity will not be released. Police say once the final steps in the investigation are completed, the City and County Attorneys' offices will be consulted before appropriate charges are filed.

The Bozeman Police Department extended condolences to Brown's family and thanked the Montana Highway Patrol for assistance in the investigation.