Drunk Driver Drowns Passenger

⏱ 3 min read

Cade Cleatus Birdinground, 20, of Garryowen, Montana, is headed to federal prison after a night of reckless driving ended in tragedy. On May 18, 2024, Birdinground plowed a truck off Highway 384 near Hardin, Montana, and into the Big Horn River, drowning his passenger. He was sentenced to 24 months behind bars followed by three years of supervised release on November 2025 after pleading guilty to involuntary manslaughter.

Montana Highway Patrol troopers arrived at the scene around 4:30 a.m. to find the truck partially submerged. The victim, identified as Jane Doe, was discovered inside, lifeless on the floorboard. Birdinground was conveniently being tended to by neighbors, clutching the truck keys and reeking of alcohol.

A blood test taken roughly 90 minutes after the crash clocked Birdinground’s blood alcohol content at a staggering 218 mg/dL. Witnesses confirmed he was driving recklessly before losing control and veering off the road, failing to navigate a curve and plunging down an 18-foot embankment. The autopsy confirmed drowning as the cause of Jane Doe’s death, directly linked to the crash.

Federal prosecutors, led by Assistant U.S. Attorney Kelsey Hendricks, built the case with assistance from the Bureau of Indian Affairs, the FBI, the Big Horn County Sheriff’s Office, and the Montana Highway Patrol. The investigation cemented Birdinground’s responsibility for the deadly wreck, leading to the conviction and prison sentence.