Family recounts losing two daughters to impaired drivers on Montana's highways

Published

10 months ago

May 5, 2025

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

Maureena ‘Mena’ Twoteeth was walking along U.S. Highway 93 in January of 2022, in St. Ignatius when she was struck and killed by a vehicle.

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.

Mena Twoteeth — Maureena ‘Mena’ Twoteeth

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.

Bonnie Asencio, member of the Confederated Salish and Kootenai Tribes.

“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.

Twoteeth family — Bonnie Asencio, a member of the Confederated Salish and Kootenai Tribes, has lost two daughters on Montana’s roads.

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.

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.

Twoteeth tattoo — Kristen Twoteeth got a tattoo of a cat for her sister Mena to honor her Indigenous name and remember her by.

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.”

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.

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Montana GOP won’t endorse in federal races this cycle • Daily Montanan

Published

2 hours ago

March 5, 2026

Press Room

Montana GOP won’t endorse in federal races this cycle • Daily Montanan

Although newly minted GOP candidates for the U.S. House and U.S. Senate have garnered heavyweight endorsements, the Montana Republican Party said Thursday it won’t throw its support behind any candidates for federal office in the primary.

“The Montana Republican Party (MTGOP) stands behind its deep bench of qualified candidates seeking to represent Montanans and supports a competitive primary process to let voters pick their preferred candidates,” the Montana GOP said in a news release Thursday.

Monday, U.S. Rep. Ryan Zinke announced he was retiring due to health concerns once his term ends, and he immediately tapped talk-show host Aaron Flint as his preferred successor in Congress.

Secretary of State Christi Jacobsen and Flathead County Republican Central Committee Chairperson Al Olszewski also filed for the U.S. House as Republicans, as did Ray Curtis of Bonner.

Wednesday, U.S. Sen. Steve Daines withdrew, and in a statement the same night, announced an endorsement of former U.S. Attorney Kurt Alme, who had filed the same day.

In the Senate, Lee Calhoun and Charles Walking Child also filed to run in the Republican primary.

Endorsements for Flint and Alme cascaded. U.S. President Donald Trump endorsed both candidates, and U.S. Sen. Tim Sheehy and Gov. Greg Gianforte threw their weight behind Flint and Alme.

Late on Wednesday, the Montana GOP did not immediately have comment on the news Daines, Montana’s senior U.S. senator, had resigned, but Thursday, the party thanked Zinke and Daines for their service.

A news release said the party would not endorse any candidates in the federal primary and would leave the job in the hands of voters.

“The party hopes every candidate will make their case to the public, contrasting their Republican policies and principles with those of Democrats — as well as phony ‘Independents,’” the news release said.

Former University of Montana President Seth Bodnar announced a run for the U.S. Senate as an independent this week.

A tension within the Republican party has emerged in recent years between hardline conservatives and more moderate members, and some legislative primaries illustrate the split.

This week, the state GOP said the number of primaries for state legislative seats shows a high interest from Montanans who want to serve the state and pass Republican policy, and the MTGOP “is glad to see so many Republicans being called to public service.”

In a brief call, MTGOP spokesperson Ethan Holmes said the party had not ruled out endorsements in legislative primaries.

In the news release, however, the MTGOP offered its view of the larger political debate.

“Montana voters know that beyond the primaries, there is a clear choice between Republican and Democratic governance; one path leads to lower taxes, less crime and stronger families, and the other leads to higher taxes, more crime, and social decay,” MTGOP Chairperson Art Wittich said in a statement.

The news release also said the state GOP is working “tirelessly to deliver a Bright Red Future” at both the state and federal level and looks forward to help candidates whom voters select win in November.

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Montana Lottery Powerball, Lotto America results for March 4, 2026

Published

14 hours ago

March 5, 2026

Press Room

The Montana Lottery offers multiple draw games for those aiming to win big.

Here’s a look at March 4, 2026, results for each game:

Winning Powerball numbers from March 4 drawing

07-14-42-47-56, Powerball: 06, Power Play: 4

Check Powerball payouts and previous drawings here.

Winning Lotto America numbers from March 4 drawing

33-38-39-47-51, Star Ball: 07, ASB: 02

Check Lotto America payouts and previous drawings here.

Winning Big Sky Bonus numbers from March 4 drawing

01-07-08-27, Bonus: 12

Check Big Sky Bonus payouts and previous drawings here.

Winning Powerball Double Play numbers from March 4 drawing

05-10-26-53-59, Powerball: 06

Check Powerball Double Play payouts and previous drawings here.

Winning Montana Cash numbers from March 4 drawing

03-04-06-08-10

Check Montana Cash payouts and previous drawings here.

Winning Millionaire for Life numbers from March 4 drawing

12-13-36-39-58, Bonus: 03

Check Millionaire for Life 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.
Millionaire for Life: 9:15 p.m. MT daily.

Missed a draw? Peek at the past week’s winning numbers.

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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University of Montana president job draws high interest • Daily Montanan

Published

1 day ago

March 4, 2026

Press Room

University of Montana president job draws high interest • Daily Montanan

The search for a new University of Montana president has drawn more than 60 applicants, according to a spokesperson for the Office of the Commissioner of Higher Education.

“We do not have an exact count at this time, as several applications are still being completed and additional submissions are expected,” said spokesperson and Deputy Commissioner Galen Hollenbaugh in an email earlier this week.

In January, then-UM-President Seth Bodnar announced his resignation to pursue other public service. Wednesday, the final day of filing, he announced he was running as an independent for the U.S. Senate to try to unseat Republican incumbent Steve Daines.

Commissioner of Higher Education Clayton Christian earlier said that with the advice of AGB Search, a firm that’s helped the Montana University System conduct other executive searches, he would undertake an expedited process to appoint a new president.

Christian has been providing brief updates on a website dedicated to the search. Last week, he said he and AGB Search are reviewing applications, and the pool of candidates was “strong and diverse.”

The commissioner also announced he was convening a small working group to assist in the search, members who “represent a variety of perspectives to assist in vetting and narrowing this field of exceptional candidates.”

In an email this week, Hollenbaugh identified the members of the working group who are assisting Christian with application review as: