Browning Man Sentenced For Fatal 118 MPH Crash That Killed Motorcyclist On Sunday Bison Outing

GREAT FALLS — It was supposed to be a simple Sunday afternoon ride to see the bison herd near Cut Bank. John Doe and his wife were heading east on their motorcycle about five miles outside of Browning when they discovered the bison weren’t there. They decided to turn around.

As Doe began executing a U-turn on the highway, a sedan traveling at 118 mph in a 70 mph zone slammed into the motorcycle, severing Doe’s leg and killing him at the scene. His wife, riding as a passenger, survived without serious injury.

Douglas Dean McDonald, 29, of Browning, was sentenced Tuesday to 18 months in federal prison followed by three years of supervised release for involuntary manslaughter in the June 9, 2024, crash on the Blackfeet Indian Reservation.

Chief U.S. District Judge Brian M. Morris presided over the sentencing in Great Falls. McDonald had pleaded guilty to the charge in February.

The Physics of Speed

The crash investigation by Montana Highway Patrol revealed the deadly mathematics of excessive speed. Electronic data from McDonald’s vehicle showed he was traveling 118 mph just five seconds before impact—48 mph over the posted speed limit.

The data showed McDonald’s sedan slowed slightly in the final moments: 114 mph two seconds before collision, then 99 mph one second before impact. The speedometer froze at 98 mph after the crash.

Highway Patrol investigators determined that if McDonald had been traveling the posted speed limit of 70 mph, Doe would have been able to complete his U-turn safely.

Multiple Substances Found

The case revealed the dangerous combination of excessive speed and impairment. When law enforcement arrived at the scene, McDonald admitted to consuming twisted teas the night before and smoking marijuana at noon that day. A preliminary breath test showed a blood alcohol content of 0.02.

The subsequent toxicology report painted a more troubling picture. In addition to alcohol and marijuana, McDonald had fentanyl, methamphetamine, norfentanyl, amphetamine, and gabapentin in his system—six different substances that could impair driving ability.

McDonald’s behavior at the scene and afterward raised additional concerns. A witness reported that McDonald and his wife flagged her down, wanting a ride to Browning, while others at the scene told him he needed to stay. When officers drove him to the hospital for a blood draw, they could smell alcohol on him.

At the hospital, McDonald attempted to flee through the emergency doors and had to be chased down in the parking lot.

Federal Jurisdiction

The case was prosecuted in federal court because the crash occurred on the Blackfeet Indian Reservation. Assistant U.S. Attorney Kalah Paisley handled the prosecution.

The investigation involved multiple agencies: the FBI, Blackfeet Law Enforcement Services, Glacier County Sheriff’s Office, and Montana Highway Patrol.

U.S. Attorney Kurt Alme announced the sentencing, emphasizing the tragic consequences of impaired driving at excessive speeds on reservation roads.

The case highlights ongoing challenges with traffic safety on tribal lands, where federal authorities often handle serious crimes that would typically fall under state jurisdiction elsewhere in Montana.