Billings man drives into lake near Woods Bay

By JORDAN DAWSON / Bigfork Eagle

At about 8:30 p.m. on July 10, a 64-year-old Billings man drove his 1997 Lexus into Flathead Lake southbound on Highway 35 near mile marker 25 south of Woods Bay.

The man, identified as Gary Hablutzel, said he was adjusting his radio when he drove off the edge of the road, through some trees and into the lake, according to Highway Patrol Trooper Chris Hoyt. The vehicle landed on its wheels and Hablutzel climbed out of the sunroof.

Hablutzel was checked out by an ambulance crew and was released into police custody having suffered only minor injuries.

He had been golfing in Bigfork prior to the accident and alcohol was a factor, according to Hoyt.

The driver refused a breathalyzer test and was jailed in Lake County on suspicion of driving under the influence and later charged with the crime. He posted bail in the morning.

Initially Bigfork Pro Tow was called to the scene to remove the car, but they were unable to do so because the vehicle was too far down the embankment for their truck to pull it out. Bolsters Towing Service, of Kalispell, was then called to the scene, but there were concerns about dragging the car over rocks and potentially causing gasoline and other automotive fluids to leak in to the lake. It was determined that a crane would be needed to lift the car out of the lake, which Hablutzel was responsible for hiring.

The Lake County Office of Emergency Management was notified Friday morning about the vehicle in the water and went to the scene to investigate the car for any leaking fluids.

The car was removed without incident on Friday afternoon by Driving Wagon Towing, according to Stephen Stanley, of the Lake County Office of Emergency Management.

"The owner was helpful in getting that done," he said. "It turned out pretty well.