Man drowns in fatal rollover

TY HAMPTON / Northwest Montana News Network

SWAN VALLEY — A 36-year-old Bigfork man was found drowned in Bond Creek Sunday after his truck rolled over into the roadside creek, trapping the driver submerged inside.

According to investigators, Rodney Simmons was last seen around 5 p.m. Saturday and when he did not arrive home the next morning, his girlfriend — residing on Bond Creek Lane — went looking for him. She found Simmons' 1995 Toyota truck flipped over in the creek not far from the home and reported the accident at 12:10 p.m.

Lake County Sheriff's Chief Deputy Coroner Mike Sargeant confirmed that Simmons was dead on arrival.

Sargeant reported that the driver had not been wearing his seatbelt so when the truck flipped onto its passenger side, Simmons was flung to that side of the vehicle which then submerged in the creek.

The driver, who was then incapacitated, was face down under water with his legs caught underneath the dashboard, the coroner explained.

The body was sent to the state crime lab in Missoula, where medical examiners determined drowning to be the cause of death Monday afternoon.

Sargeant added that alcohol use is suspected but not confirmed at this time.

According to a poll by Progressive Insurance, 52 percent of accidents occur within five miles of the home and 69 percent within 10 miles of the home.