Woman killed in car wreck

The Daily Inter Lake

A 23-year-old Bigfork woman was killed Tuesday evening after the small SUV she was driving collided head-on with a pickup truck.

She was pronounced dead at the scene of the accident, according to Flathead County coroners.

The wreck occurred at about 6 p.m. on Montana 82, one mile west of Montana 35.

The woman, driving a Jeep Compass, was eastbound on Montana 82 when she veered into the westbound lane. Her car then collided head on with a Ford pickup truck traveling in the opposite direction, said Montana Highway Patrol trooper Evan Schneider.

Investigators don't yet know why the woman veered into oncoming traffic, Schneider said.

The woman's name will not be released until her family is notified.

Excessive speed did not appear to be a factor, Schneider said. Investigators have not yet determined if alcohol contributed to the accident.

The woman had to be cut out of her vehicle, Schneider said.

The two occupants of the pickup, a 60-year-old woman and a 64-year-old man, were transported by Bigfork ambulance to Kalispell Regional Medical Center. Their injuries did not appear to be life-threatening, Schneider said.

The woman's death is the 15th traffic related fatality in Flathead County this year.