Native American Woman Killed in Fatal Hit-and-Run Accident in Billings

A 55-year-old Native American transient, Violet Faith "Faye" Enick, was killed in a hit-and-run accident on King Avenue East in Billings, Montana, on the night of Tuesday, May 1, 2024. The incident occurred at approximately 10:23 p.m. near the intersection of King Avenue East and Haugen Street, close to the Yellowstone County Detention Facility.

Why this matters: This tragic incident highlights the ongoing issue of pedestrian safety in Montana, where at least 50 people have lost their lives on the state's roads this year. This tragic incident highlights the ongoing issue of pedestrian safety in Montana, where at least 50 people have lost their lives on the state's roads this year. It also emphasizes the need for responsible driving and road safety measures to prevent such accidents in the future.

According to the Montana Highway Patrol (MHP), Enick was walking on Haugen Street when she was struck by a vehicle suspected in a fatal hit-and-run traveling west on King Avenue East. After the collision, the driver of the vehicle turned around and fled the scene, heading east toward Sugar Avenue. Emergency crews transported Enick to a local hospital, where she was pronounced dead.

Yellowstone County Deputy Coroner Valerie Juhl determined the official cause of death to be "blunt-impact injury to the torso and lower extremities," ruling the manner of death as accidental. The MHP is actively investigating the fatality and seeking the public's assistance in locating the suspect vehicle and driver.

Authorities believe the suspect vehicle to be an early 2000s maroon Dodge Durango with a black grill and damage to its front end. "Anyone with information regarding the suspected Dodge Durango or Tuesday's fatal crash can reach MHP's communications center at 406-841-7022," stated an MHP representative.

Preliminary investigations suggest that speeding and intoxication may have been contributing factors in the accident. However, troopers have yet to identify a suspect, and no additional information has been released regarding the ongoing hit-and-run investigation.

This tragic incident marks the fifth pedestrian fatality in Montana so far in 2024, with at least 50 people having lost their lives on the state's roads this year. Deaths related to auto crashes are slightly up compared to the same time period in 2023, a concerning trend that highlights the importance of road safety and responsible driving.

The Montana Highway Patrol's ongoing probe into the hit-and-run accident that claimed Violet Faith "Faye" Enick's life prompts an urgent appeal to anyone with information about the suspect vehicle, described as an early 2000s maroon Dodge Durango with a black grill and front-end damage, to contact their communications center at 406-841-7022. The community mourns the loss of a fellow citizen and hopes for swift justice in thiscase.

Key Takeaways

• Violet Faith "Faye" Enick, 55, killed in hit-and-run in Billings, Montana.
• Incident occurred on King Avenue East near Yellowstone County Detention Facility.
• Suspect vehicle: early 2000s maroon Dodge Durango with black grill and front-end damage.
• Speeding and intoxication may have contributed to the accident.
• 5th pedestrian fatality in Montana in 2024, with 50+ road deaths this year.