MHP trooper dies from crash injuries
The Daily Inter Lake
Montana Highway Patrol Trooper Mike Haynes has died from injuries he suffered in an on-duty collision with another vehicle south of Kalispell on Monday morning.
Haynes, 28, died just before 8:30 a.m. Friday at Kalispell Regional Medical Center, according to a press release from Montana Attorney General Steve Bullock.
He is the third trooper to be killed in Flathead Valley motor vehicle accidents in the last 18 months.
Haynes was sworn in as a trooper with the Montana Highway Patrol in August 2006.
He is survived by his wife, Tawny, his two young children Taryn and Elias, and his parents, John and Melody Haynes of Kalispell.
"Mike Haynes lived his values, and loved his job and his family. You couldn't ask for a better trooper or man," said Colonel Mike Tooley, head of the Highway Patrol. "Montanans should be proud that someone of Mike's caliber was working for them. He will be missed."
"The Highway Patrol has lost a brother and Montana has lost a hero. Our prayers tonight will be for Mike's young family," Bullock said. "Today and this weekend, I encourage all Montanans to honor and pray for the men and women who work in these dangerous occupations to make our lives safer. We also need to reflect on the devastating consequences that come with drinking and driving."
Haynes was travelling in the southbound lanes of U.S. 93 at about 2:40 a.m. Monday morning. He was struck head-on by a Volkswagen being driven north in the southbound lanes. Travis Vandersloot, 29, who was driving the Volkswagen, was killed on impact and pronounced dead at the scene.
A full investigative report on the collision will be released in the near future, but alcohol and high speeds on the part of the driver of the Volkswagen were major factors, Col. Tooley said.
After a period of 30 years without any Highway Patrol fatalities, Haynes is the third trooper to die in the line of duty in the past 18 months.
He is the seventh Highway Patrol trooper to die in the line of duty in the patrol's 74-year history.
On Aug. 26, 2008, Trooper Evan Schneider, 29 died in a crash on U.S. 2 near Bad Rock Canyon. While in pursuit of a vehicle, Schneider was hit head-on by another vehicle that was forced into oncoming traffic.
On Oct. 9, 2007, Trooper David Graham, 36, died in a crash two miles north of Kalispell when a pickup truck crossed a turn lane and hit him head-on.