Columbia Falls woman killed in head-on crash

A 65-year-old Columbia Falls woman was killed in a head-on motor vehicle crash Wednesday morning on Highway 40 just west of the Blue Moon.

According to Montana Highway Patrol officer David Mills, Kyong Smith was eastbound about 7:50 a.m. when her Chrysler PT Cruiser drifted into the westbound lane and struck a vehicle driven by Lawrence Abell, 45, of Columbia Falls.

Abell suffered minor injuries and was transported the the hospital. His Dodge pickup truck was destroyed.

Speed and alcohol were not factors in the crash, Mills said. It isn't clear why the woman drifted into the wrong lane. Abell was able to jerk the wheel on his truck in time to avoid a driver-side to driver-side collision.

Columbia Falls fire and medical personnel responded to the scene and ALERT flew in as well.

The wreck backed up traffic for a mile, Mills said.