Woman killed, man injured in Friday crash

A three-vehicle crash near Marion left one woman dead and one man injured Friday afternoon.

The fatality, a 47-year-old woman from Kalispell, and the injury, a 56-year-old man from Billings, have not yet been identified.

According to the Montana Highway Patrol report, the incident occurred when a dump truck headed eastbound on U.S. 2 East near the intersection with Gopher Lane, driven by a 36-year-old man from Marion, crossed the center line and struck the woman’s car head-on in the westbound lane. The third vehicle, driven by the 56-year-old man, struck the dump truck as it skidded to a stop.

The woman was pronounced dead at the scene. The driver of the third vehicle was taken to Kalispell Regional Medical Center for treatment. The extent of the man’s injuries are not currently known.

The driver of the dump truck was uninjured. All three drivers were wearing seat belts.

Authorities do not believe alcohol, drugs or speed were factors of the crash. The cause is still under investigation.

Reporter Mary Cloud Taylor can be reached at 758-4459 or mtaylor@dailyinterlake.com.

— This story has been updated to correct the sequence of events leading to the crash