Charges pending in crash

The Daily Inter Lake

Felony charges are recommended following a Saturday afternoon traffic crash that an investigating trooper described as "amazing that no one died."

Glen Barcus of the Montana Highway Patrol said driver Ronney Harriman, 45, of Somers was extremely intoxicated when he plowed his Isuzu Rodeo into the back of a Toyota pickup on Montana 83 just west of the "S" curves.

The truck was slowing to turn toward a waterfowl refuge when Harriman's vehicle struck it at full highway speed, Barcus said. The speed limit on the road is 70 mph.

Two boys, ages 11 and 19, were thrown from the bed of the pickup. Two people in the cab of the truck also were injured, as was Harriman. The occupants of the truck are from Whitefish.

ALERT helicopter, Bigfork Ambulance, Flathead County Sheriff's Office and Lakeside Quick Response Unit responded to the crash, which blocked traffic for an hour and a half, Barcus said.

An animal warden was called for two dogs that also were thrown from the bed of the truck. They survived.

Barcus' investigation showed that Harriman did not slow at all before the impact.

Barcus recommended to the county attorney's office that Harriman be charged with felony criminal endangerment, negligent vehicular assault, felony DUI, having an open container of alcohol, driving with a suspended license, and having no insurance.

Barcus has at least three previous DUI convictions.

Injuries from the crash included broken ankles, whiplash and massive cuts, Barcus said. The 11-year-old boy spent at least one night in the hospital and Harriman was still in the hospital on Monday.