The Montana stretch of US Highway 212 rolls through the peaceful hill country of southeastern Montana, crossing the Northern Cheyenne and Crow Reservations on its route to Wyoming and across the country. This rural, two-lane road is popular with semi-drivers; it’s a more direct route east than the interstate. 

But the road has a different reputation with the people who live along it. They call it the Highway of Death. 

Crashes along 212 have claimed hundreds of lives and impacted every community along the 140-mile stretch. A ten-year safety study by the Montana DOT uncovered the many complex reasons for the continuing death toll. Despite millions of dollars of investment in improvements, the deaths continue and the communities have had enough. 

Students in the University of Montana School of Journalism’s documentary film program created this powerful film told from the perspective of families who have lost loved ones on this deadly stretch of highway.