A man named Daniel Orson Wells, aged 58, has been identified as the individual who tragically lost his life in a two-vehicle collision that occurred between Ulm and Cascade on July 11, 2024. The identification was made by Cascade County Sheriff/Coroner Jesse Slaughter.
As per the obituary, Wells had an impressive career as a Chief Master Sergeant in the U.S. Air Force, retiring in 2013. He is survived by his wife Pamela, three children, and numerous other family members and loved ones.
Jeremey Andrew Carpenter is facing charges of felony vehicular homicide following the crash. He was taken into custody on Friday, August 2, 2024.
On July 11, 2024, a shocking incident occurred on Interstate 15 between Ulm and Cascade. A pickup truck, driven by Carpenter, recklessly traveled in the wrong direction on the southbound lanes, resulting in a collision with a northbound GMC Sierra driven by Wells.
Tragically, Wells passed away at the scene. According to the Montana Highway Patrol, Wells was wearing a seatbelt during the crash.
Based on the charging documents, Carpenter informed the MHP trooper that he was not the one driving the pickup truck. He claimed to have been asleep in the passenger seat during the crash.
Carpenter has identified someone else as the driver of the pickup truck, stating that this individual fled the scene of the crash.
The MHP trooper observed that Carpenter had a noticeable odor of alcohol, and his eyes appeared red and watery.
During his investigation, he discovered multiple small plastic baggies containing a white powder, which was later confirmed to be cocaine.
The trooper also observed multiple open containers of alcohol in the pickup truck. Carpenter allegedly admitted to consuming alcohol at a bar in Ulm and a bar in Cascade.
A Cascade County Sheriff’s deputy visited the residence of the individual Carpenter had identified as the driver of the pickup truck. The individual was completely sober and did not sustain any injuries. They informed the deputy that they had not been in the company of Carpenter.
The individual presented the deputy with text messages exchanged with Carpenter, expressing remorse for staying home and unintentionally falling asleep earlier in the evening.
The injured individual was transported to a hospital in Great Falls by ambulance and was admitted for treatment.
When Carpenter was admitted to the hospital, a blood sample revealed a blood alcohol level of 0.171, exceeding the legal limit for operating a vehicle by more than double. Furthermore, his blood tested positive for cocaine.
On July 15, investigators interviewed Carpenter, who confessed to being the sole occupant of the pickup truck during the crash and consuming alcohol beforehand.