For Immediate Release

In the afternoon hours of Wednesday, April 17, 2024, the Gallatin County Coroner’s Office along with Montana Highway Patrol, the Belgrade Police Department, and the Gallatin County Sheriff’s Office responded to a fatal motor vehicle accident that occurred near the intersection of Jackrabbit Lane and Floss Flats Road.

One driver, 49-year-old Julio Esparza Lopez of Belgrade, was transported to the Bozeman Health Deaconess Regional Medical Center where he was pronounced deceased. His cause of death was determined to be blunt force injuries of the chest and the manner was ruled an accident. Montana Highway Patrol and Belgrade Police are investigating the cause of the motor vehicle accident.

Sheriff Springer reminds motorists, as traffic continues to increase in our area, it becomes even more important to be a defensive driver, pay attention to other motorists and obey all traffic laws.

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Beker Cuelho, Chief Deputy Coroner