Grand Forks-area family dies in crash along Montana interstate
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A family of four from the Grand Forks, N.D., area has been found dead after a crash along Interstate 94 in eastern Montana.
The Billings Gazette reported that Anthony and Chelsi Dean, both 25, and their two daughters, 5-year-old Kaytlin and 20-month-old Avri, died Thanksgiving morning when their SUV left the interstate about 10 miles northeast of Billings.
The newspaper, citing local law enforcement officials, reported that the family's vehicle went into the median, went airborne, struck a concrete bridge support pillar and came to rest in a deep creek bed.
The crash was not discovered and reported until Friday night. The Montana Highway Patrol said the crash site was found after investigators pinged the parents' cell phones.
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The Deans had visited family in Caldwell, Idaho and were traveling to Ekalaka, Mont. They last contacted family at 6:30 a.m. Thursday from Billings, but failed to show up at the family gathering later that day.
The Fargo Forum reported that Chelsi Dean was a member of the Manvel (N.D.) Volunteer Fire Department. Her husband was stationed at the Grand Forks Air Force Base.
Anthony Dean's mother, L.D. Webb, posted on Facebook after the crash was discovered that her "heart is broken into a billion pieces." A candlelight vigil to remember the family is planned for Saturday evening at her home in Idaho.
The Associated Press contributed to this report.
