Kyle J. Maxwell Obituary – A Billings man has been identified by county officials as the individual who tragically lost his life after driving his vehicle off the Rims earlier this month. The deceased has been identified as Kyle J. Maxwell, a 30-year-old father of four. Yellowstone County Deputy Coroner Valerie Juhl stated that Maxwell died as a result of multiple blunt force injuries. The coroners have determined that his death was a suicide.
According to a statement from Billings Police Lt. Matt Lennick, Maxwell was involved in a domestic disturbance at a residence on the West End during the early hours of February 4. Following this incident, officers pursued Maxwell as he drove a white pickup truck north on Zimmerman Trail. When Maxwell reached the top of Zimmerman Trail and turned east onto Highway 3, the police attempted to pull him over.
However, Maxwell did not comply with their instructions and instead began to accelerate, prompting the police to discontinue the pursuit. Lt. Lennick explained that the decision to break off a pursuit is based on department policies, which consider factors such as excessive speeds and potential dangers to the public, the suspect, or the police officer.
Approximately half a mile west of the Highway 3 and North 27th Street roundabout, Maxwell’s truck veered south, crashing through a section of wooden railing and plunging off the edge of the Rims. The truck came to a stop on a rocky outcropping several yards above a neighborhood off Rimrock Road. Emergency crews arrived at the scene, but unfortunately, Maxwell was pronounced dead.
The Billings Fire Department, American Medical Response, and the Yellowstone County Sheriff’s Office all provided assistance in responding to the crash and conducting the subsequent investigation.
In addition to this tragic incident, it was revealed in an obituary published after his death that Maxwell, who was born and raised in Billings, had also served in the Army National Guard for seven years.