Fromberg man drowned after crashing into ditch

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By The Associated Press

Story Published: Jun 24, 2009 at 6:54 PM MDT

Story Updated: Jun 24, 2009 at 6:54 PM MDT

BILLINGS - Carbon County authorities say a 79-year-old man whose body was found near Silesia last week apparently drowned after crashing his car into an irrigation ditch and being swept into a nearby river.

Jack Butke lived alone in Fromberg and suffered from dementia. His death was initially characterized as suspicious after police were unable to locate his car or dog. But after finding Butke's Subaru Legacy in an irrigation ditch near Fromberg, authorities now say it appears the man crashed, attempted to get out of his vehicle and was swept into the nearby Clarks Fork of the Yellowstone River.

Butke's body was discovered around 10:30 a.m. on June 16, about an eighth of a mile above the river's confluence with the Yellowstone.

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