Update April 11 with additional information
An airman assigned to Malmstrom Air Force Base was killed April 9 in an off-base vehicle crash around 3 p.m.
According to Malmstrom public affairs, the airman was transported to Benefis Health System by first responders following the incident and was pronounced deceased.
The airman has been identified as Airman 1st Class Daris Benally, 24, of Rapid City, S.D., who was a missile handler assigned here to the 341st Missile Maintenance Squadron.
“There are no words that can fill the void left by this loss,” Col. Luke Stover, 341st Maintenance Group commander, said in a release. “Beyond the uniform, Daris was a friend, a teammate, and a loved one. Our support and deepest sympathies go out to all who knew and loved him.”
“The loss of Daris Benally weighs heavily on many of us. Moments like this affect everyone differently and it’s important we take care of ourselves and each other,” Col. Daniel Voorhies, 341st Missile Wing commander, said in a release. “If you’re struggling, don’t carry it alone, lean on your teammates and reach out for support.”
The accident is currently under investigation by the Great Falls Police Department.
GFPD, Great Falls Fire Rescue and Great Falls Emergency Services responded to the crash involving a motorcycle and a truck at the intersection of 3rd St. N.W. and 16th Ave. S.W. around 3 p.m. April 9.
On Friday, GFPD was seeking the driver of a vehicle that may have witnessed the incident, and by the afternoon, said they’d been in contact with the driver, who “cleared up a few questions” about the crash.
The crash was not a hit-and-run, according to GFPD.
The deceased was the motorcycle driver, according to GFPD.
“We appreciate the community’s effort to assist and we send our heartfelt condolences to the family and friends of the deceased,” GFPD said in a post about the crash.
