Montana
Family recounts losing two daughters to impaired drivers on Montana's highways
May 5 marks the National Day of Awareness for Missing and Murdered Indigenous Women and Girls.
Native women face murder rates more than 10 times the national average. Here in Montana, Indigenous women are four times more likely to go missing.
MTN is sharing some of the stories from the MMIW crisis; some of which you might know, some of which you won’t.
Maureena ‘Mena’ Twoteeth was walking along Highway 93 in January 0f 2022, next to Mission Bridge in St. Ignatius.
She was intoxicated and called for a ride. Mena was waiting to be picked up when she was struck and killed by a vehicle.
Watch the full story:
Family recounts losing two daughters to impaired drivers on Montana’s highways
A 22-year-old woman from Bozeman struck and killed her.
The initial police report did not indicate any drugs were involved. However, three years later, the Montana Highway Patrol confirmed to MTN that the driver had THC in her system.
We reached out to the Lake County Attorney for comment on this case, but have not heard back.
Now, Twoteeth’s family shares the impact of living next to roads that have stolen more than one of their loved ones.
Emily Brown/MTN News
U.S. Highway 93 cuts right through the heart of the Flathead Reservation, and a lot of people walk alongside the road, which is known for its dangerous conditions and high speeds.
Many have lost their lives, which is why locals say: ‘Pray for me, I drive 93.’
“It’s just not safe,” sister Kristen Twoteeth said.
Mena was Cree and a member of the Confederated Salish and Kootenai Tribes.
Emily Brown/MTN News
After she was killed, a Tribal officer showed up at her mother, Bonnie Asencio’s, residence.
“I remember just being in disbelief, just holding myself because my body wasn’t doing what I wanted it to do, and that was stand up,” Asencio said.
But Mena wasn’t the first child Asencio lost.
Emily Brown/MTN News
“Two of my children died before me,” Asencio stated.
Her daughter, Ruby Saluskin, was a passenger in a 2020 fatal crash along Montana Highway 35.
“My daughters are important. They are just as important as any other children in the world,” Asencio said.
Emily Brown/MTN News
Now, only four of Asencio’s six daughters are alive.
“My mom’s voice keeps ringing through my ears to be safe, please,” sister Bonnie Saluskin said.
The surviving family lives alongside the roads where white crosses mark their losses.
“I had anxiety really bad after that. I couldn’t even drive really, and especially at like nighttime,” Kristen Twoteeth shared.
“There have been 58 crashes and 65 fatalities on Highway 93 from Wye to the end of the Flathead Reservation from 2020-2025,” Montana Highway Patrol Captain Sean Silvan shared in a statement to MTN.
Emily Brown/MTN News
Still, people commonly walk.
“Indian people walk. We’re not afraid to not have a vehicle. My mom lives a mile just right down the road here. I’ll walk over there easy,” Asencio said.
The family hopes someday for changes that would make getting around the reservation safer for the next generation.
“I would love for a billboard to be here that says: ‘You are now on a reservation and we love to walk,’” Asencio stated.
But all the while, they hold memories of loved ones lost on the road close.
Kristen Twoteeth got a tattoo of a cat for her sister Mena to honor her Indigenous name and remember her by.
Emily Brown/MTN News
She also named her daughter after a saying from Ruby.
“My sister Ruby was always telling us to love each other. That’s what I named my baby, Leila Love, after her saying that,” said Twoteeth.
Bonnie Saluskin channels her emotions into song with one line being, “Now, death is no longer an option. That’s my word to my mom.”
Emily Brown/MTN News
As the family lives each day, they focus on caring for their remaining family members and elevating their loved ones’ stories whenever possible.
“Being able to be there for your children, being able to be there for your mothers, your, you know, your fathers, your, your family. That’s what this is all about,” Saluskin said.
“They are my daughters, and I love them with all of my heart. They continue to be mine even though they’re in heaven,” Asencio concluded.
Oregon women’s basketball moved to 11-1 following a 69-44 win over Montana State Sunday at Matthew Knight Arena.
Four of Oregon’s starters scored in double figures, led by guard Sofia Bell’s 15 points.
Mia Jacobs added 13 points and 10 rebounds. Katie Fiso and Ari Long each scored 10 points. Fiso added five assists.
Oregon (11-1) struggled shooting, hitting 19 of 58 field goal attempts (32.8%), including 9 of 31 from three-point range (29%). However, those numbers were mainly dragged down in the fourth quarter when the game was well in hand.
Oregon, which led 37-14 at halftime, shot just 22.2% from the field in the final quarter and missed all seven of its three-point attempts. MSU won the quarter 16-11.
Bell went 4 of 8 from long distance, Jacobs went 3 of 8 and Long made both of her three-point attempts. The rest of the team went 0-for-13.
Montana State (6-3) received 14 points and four rebounds from Jamison Philip. The Bobcats shot 1 of 19 from three-point range and committed 23 turnovers that the Ducks converted into 25 points.
Next up: The Ducks host Portland (7-4) at 11 a.m. on Thursday. The Pilots defeated Kent State 88-78 on Sunday.
MISSOULA, Mont. — The No. 3-seeded Montana Grizzlies proved too much to handle on Saturday afternoon, overwhelming the No. 11-seeded South Dakota Coyotes 52-22 in the FCS playoff quarterfinals at Washington-Grizzly Stadium.
The Griz used the home crowd to their advantage in an all-around dominant performance in all three phases of the game in front of a home crowd of 22,750 fans. The win sets up an all-Montana semifinal in the FCS playoffs as the Griz will go to face No. 2 Montana State on Dec. 20 for a trip to the national championship.
Montana’s Keali’i Ah Yat had 305 yards and three passing scores, as Michael Wortham had 11 catches for 201 yards and two receiving touchdowns, as well as 43 rushing yards and a score.
All told, the Coyotes had 63 plays on offense for 351 total yards, but the 10 offensive penalties seemed to be a key difference in finding any consistency.
Montana State advances with decisive victory
BOZEMAN, Mont. — Montana State ran for 227 yards as the Bobcats dominated the third-ranked rush defense in the country en route to beating Stephen F. Austin 44-28 on Friday to advance to the FCS playoff semifinals.
Adam Jones finished with 117 yards and Julius Davis had 96 on the ground for Montana State, which jumped out to a 24-0 lead. Justin Lamson had 246 passing yards for the Bobcats.
Villanova holds down Tarleton State to advance
STEPHENVILLE, Texas — Villanova overcame a 14-0 deficit as the No. 12 Wildcats beat fourth-seeded Tarleton State 26-21 on Saturday.
It is the fourth time in program history and the first time since 2010 that ‘Nova advanced to the semifinals. The Wildcats held Tarleton State to 56 yards rushing and 266 total yards while racking up 426 overall on their own.
Ja’briel Mace had a 47-yard run to trim Tarleton State’s lead to 21-19 in the third quarter and Braden Reed hauled in an 11-yard TD pass in the fourth to complete the comeback.
Dawson runs Illinois State past UC Davis
DAVIS, Calif. — Victor Dawson carried 29 times for 148 yards and Tommy Rittenhouse threw a 93-yard TD pass as Illinois State beat UC-Davis 42-31 on Saturday, one week after the Redbirds upset North Dakota State in Fargo.
Rittenhouse finished 15 of 20 for 266 yards and three touchdowns and one interception. Daniel Sobkowicz had six receptions for 150 yards and two scores.
Davis quarterback Caden Pinnick was 24 of 41 for 402 yards with three touchdowns and a pick.
Trey Houchin of the Mitchell Republic contributed to this report.
Our newsroom occasionally reports stories under a byline of “staff.” Often, the “staff” byline is used when rewriting basic news briefs that originate from official sources, such as a city press release about a road closure, and which require little or no reporting. At times, this byline is used when a news story includes numerous authors or when the story is formed by aggregating previously reported news from various sources. If outside sources are used, it is noted within the story.
The Montana Lottery offers multiple draw games for those aiming to win big. Here’s a look at Dec. 13, 2025, results for each game:
Winning Powerball numbers from Dec. 13 drawing
01-28-31-57-58, Powerball: 16, Power Play: 2
Check Powerball payouts and previous drawings here.
Winning Lucky For Life numbers from Dec. 13 drawing
12-18-19-24-35, Lucky Ball: 17
Check Lucky For Life payouts and previous drawings here.
Winning Lotto America numbers from Dec. 13 drawing
20-26-27-32-46, Star Ball: 08, ASB: 02
Check Lotto America payouts and previous drawings here.
Winning Big Sky Bonus numbers from Dec. 13 drawing
04-06-11-31, Bonus: 09
Check Big Sky Bonus payouts and previous drawings here.
Winning Montana Cash numbers from Dec. 13 drawing
01-16-18-31-37
Check Montana Cash payouts and previous drawings here.
Feeling lucky? Explore the latest lottery news & results
When are the Montana Lottery drawings held?
- Powerball: 8:59 p.m. MT on Monday, Wednesday, and Saturday.
- Mega Millions: 9 p.m. MT on Tuesday and Friday.
- Lucky For Life: 8:38 p.m. MT daily.
- Lotto America: 9 p.m. MT on Monday, Wednesday and Saturday.
- Big Sky Bonus: 7:30 p.m. MT daily.
- Powerball Double Play: 8:59 p.m. MT on Monday, Wednesday, and Saturday.
- Montana Cash: 8 p.m. MT on Wednesday and Saturday.
Missed a draw? Peek at the past week’s winning numbers.
Winning lottery numbers are sponsored by Jackpocket, the official digital lottery courier of the USA TODAY Network.
Where can you buy lottery tickets?
Tickets can be purchased in person at gas stations, convenience stores and grocery stores. Some airport terminals may also sell lottery tickets.
You can also order tickets online through Jackpocket, the official digital lottery courier of the USA TODAY Network, in these U.S. states and territories: Arizona, Arkansas, Colorado, Idaho, Maine, Massachusetts, Minnesota, Montana, Nebraska, New Hampshire, New Jersey, New York, Ohio, Oregon, Puerto Rico, Washington D.C., and West Virginia. The Jackpocket app allows you to pick your lottery game and numbers, place your order, see your ticket and collect your winnings all using your phone or home computer.
Jackpocket is the official digital lottery courier of the USA TODAY Network. Gannett may earn revenue for audience referrals to Jackpocket services. GAMBLING PROBLEM? CALL 1-800-GAMBLER, Call 877-8-HOPENY/text HOPENY (467369) (NY). 18+ (19+ in NE, 21+ in AZ). Physically present where Jackpocket operates. Jackpocket is not affiliated with any State Lottery. Eligibility Restrictions apply. Void where prohibited. Terms: jackpocket.com/tos.
This results page was generated automatically using information from TinBu and a template written and reviewed by a Great Falls Tribune editor. You can send feedback using this form.
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