Two teens killed in Ovando crash

By NICHOLAS LEDDEN

The Daily Inter Lake

Two Kalispell teenagers were killed over the weekend in a crash on Montana 200 near Ovando.

Krystal Noble, 18, and her 13-year-old brother, Franklin, were driving to Montana State University-Billings, where Krystal was scheduled to begin her freshman classes today.

The Noble teens' Chevrolet Corsica was eastbound on Montana 200 near mile marker 40 in Powell County at about 11 a.m. Saturday when it drifted into the westbound lane while navigating a curve in the road, according to the Montana Highway Patrol. Krystal, the driver, may have been trying to pass. A pickup truck traveling in the opposite direction swerved to avoid the oncoming Corsica, but the two cars struck each other with a glancing blow.

After the collision, the pickup truck left the road, entered the ditch, and rolled at least once. The Corsica continued traveling eastbound in the westbound lane, where it struck an SUV almost head on. The Noble's car and the SUV spun around and then rolled.

An approaching GMC Jimmy then swerved into the ditch to avoid the other three cars already involved in the accident. It also rolled after entering the ditch, eventually coming to a halt on its roof on an embankment.

Krystal and Franklin were pronounced dead at the scene, according to the Montana Highway Patrol.

The teens' parents were in a separate car not far ahead of their children, investigators said. The parents, a federal law enforcement agent and an employee of the Columbia Falls school district, were dropping Krystal, who graduated from Flathead High School in June, off at school. When they noticed their daughter was no longer driving the car behind them, the parents turned around and came upon the scene of the accident.

The crash is still under investigation, but it doesn't appear alcohol or excessive speed were factors, said Montana Highway Patrol trooper Robert Strauch.

Six people in the other three cars were injured. Five of them were treated at Saint Patrick Hospital in Missoula for minor injuries. One, a woman six weeks pregnant, was held for observation. All six have since been released.

Reporter Nicholas Ledden can be reached at 758-4441 or by e-mail at nledden@dailyinterlake.com