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MDOT, Tribes dedicate portion of highway to Hoyt

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POLSON — The one-year anniversary of Montana Highway Patrol Trooper Christopher Lee Hoyt’s death in an off-duty accident was Monday, Aug. 23. Family, law enforcement officers, friends and dignitaries gathered near the Joe McDonald Health and Fitness Center on the edge of U.S. Highway 93 to dedicate a section of the road, from just south of Pablo to Caffrey Drive, to Hoyt.

Traffic noise rising and falling in the background was appropriate, since Hoyt was a highway patrolman and spent much of his time driving.

Montana Department of Transportation Director Jim Lynch and Confederated Salish and Kootenai Tribal Chairman Bud Moran were unofficial emcees of the event. The Confederated Salish and Kootenai Tribes, Montana Department of Transportation and Hoyt’s family worked closely together to secure the highway dedication.

The location was chosen with the help of Tribal Law Enforcement Chief Craige Couture. Couture said the portion of highway through Pablo and to the top of Polson hill was the section Hoyt worked the most. 

Now the sign, bearing Hoyt’s name and badge number, “will be here when we come to work every day,” Couture said.

Moran and Kevin Howlett, highway commissioner, unveiled the sign, and Lynch placed a bouquet on the sign. A similar bouquet was placed on the Caffrey Drive location. 

After the dedication, Montana Highway Patrol Colonel Mike Tooley said Hoyt worked hard and treated everybody fairly. 

“We (the MHP) could always use a few more Chris Hoyts,” Tooley said. 

Lynch agreed, and said, “Chris wanted very much to keep this highway safe for all families.”

Hoyt’s wife, Tammy, said it was a blessing to have this part of Hwy. 93 dedicated to Chris. She and the other family members hope when people see the sign, they will remember to wear their seatbelts, not drive aggressively and not drink while driving.

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