Woman killed after being struck by car identified

A Kalispell pedestrian who died this week from injuries suffered after being hit by a car while crossing an Evergreen highway has been identified as 42-year-old Marica Grace Weller.

Weller was struck by a 1997 Dodge Intrepid shortly before 10 p.m. Wednesday in the 1500 block of Montana 35, said Montana Highway Patrol Trooper John Underwood.

She was taken to Kalispell Regional Medical Center, where she died about noon Thursday, according to information released Saturday by Flathead County coroners.

Neither the driver, who is from Missoula, or his passenger were injured in the crash.

Investigators do not believe the driver of the car, which was traveling eastbound, was speeding. The car was in compliance with Montana's motor vehicle laws and regulations, Underwood said.

Weller appears to have been crossing from the parking lot of the Rainbow Bar and Casino to meet friends on the other side of the highway when she was struck. She had not yet gone inside the bar the night the crash occurred, Underwood said.

Investigators said the driver of the Intrepid had little or no time to react when Weller stepped out into traffic.

Whether alcohol was a factor in the crash - either on Weller's part or that of the driver - is still under investigation. Per procedure in fatal wrecks, blood samples have been sent to the state crime lab in Missoula for analysis.

Underwood said he does not expect to issue any citations in connection with the crash.

Weller is the 15th person to die this year in crashes on Flathead County highways.