Kalispell woman dies in three-vehicle collision

An 80-year-old Kalispell woman died in a three-vehicle collision Saturday on Montana 82 and Sportsman’s Bridge near Bigfork.

Montana Highway Patrol responded to the scene at 7:30 p.m. According to Montana Highway Patrol Trooper Laramie Stefani the Kalispell woman was driving a 2001 Mercedes-Benz westbound when it abruptly crossed the center line into oncoming traffic and hit an eastbound 2015 Nissan Rogue head-on. The two vehicles reportedly spun out and a third vehicle, a 2013 Volkswagen Passat, which was also traveling eastbound, was unable to avoid the collision and hit the Nissan.

The Kalispell woman was declared dead at the scene.

The driver of the Nissan, a 22-year-old Missoula woman, was transported to Kalispell Regional Medical Center with non-life threatening injuries. Her passenger, a 23-year-old Missoula man, was uninjured.

The driver of the Volkswagen, a 54-year-old woman, was also uninjured as were her three passengers, a 53-year-old man, a 25-year-old man and a 22-year-old woman, all of Bigfork.

Everyone involved in the crash were wearing their seat belts according to Stefani.

He said the cause of the collision is suspected to be medical related. Alcohol and speed were not factors.

Reporter Hilary Matheson may be reached at 758-4431 or hmatheson@dailyinterlake.com.