Highway 93 collision claims woman's life

A head-on traffic accident south of Kalispell Wednesday claimed a Lakeside woman's life.

Flathead County Deputy Coroner Jim Browder said Susan Barsness was wearing a seat belt, but died at the scene. Her name will likely be released today.

Browder said the woman was driving south on U.S. 93 when a three-quarter-ton pickup crossed the center lane and struck her 1999 Subaru Forester head-on.

The driver of the truck was taken to Kalispell Regional Medical Center with injuries that were not thought to be life-threatening, Browder said.

The mid-afternoon crash was near Pierce Manufacturing Co. on U.S. 93.

Somers and Kalispell fire departments, Lakeside Quick Response Unit, Flathead County Sheriff's Office and Montana Highway Patrol responded to the accident, which blocked traffic.