Five-vehicle crash kills man
The 26-year-old Kalispell man killed in a five-vehicle crash on U.S. 2 east of Marion Thursday evening was one of only two involved motorists not using seat belts, according to the Montana Highway Patrol.
Johnathan C. “J.C.” Watt died at the scene of the collision near milepost 101 shortly after 5:40 p.m. from blunt force trauma.
He and a another man were ejected from a Toyota pickup truck. Watt then was run over by a sports utility vehicle hauling a boat, according to highway patrol officials.
The unidentified passenger, a man in his early 20s, is being treated at Kalispell Regional Medical Center with multiple spinal fractures, Trooper Glen Barcus said Friday.
The collisions occurred when a vehicle driving east on U.S. 2 slowed and signaled to turn left. Barcus said Watt’s pickup truck failed to slow down and struck vehicles in both lanes.
The impact from that collision pushed Watt’s vehicle into westbound traffic where the truck was struck again, propelling Watt and a passenger from the vehicle. Barcus said a 6-year-old boy was restrained in the truck and suffered only minor injuries.
“The passenger compartment, even after three very violent impacts, was completely intact,” Barcus said. “Had the driver and passenger not been ejected, it was a survivable crash.”
A woman driving a vehicle involved in the initial collision was taken to the hospital for treatment. No one else required anything more than minor medical attention, Barcus said.
The cause of the crash is still being investigated, but Barcus said drug use and excessive speed are possible factors. He said drugs and paraphernalia were found at the scene. It is not known if alcohol played a role, he said.
There are currently no charges pending for anyone involved in the crash, Barcus said.
“A lengthy and involved investigation will take place,” he said.
U.S. 2 was closed for 2/12 hours as crews treated victims and cleaned up the scene.
Reporter Eric Schwartz may be reached at 758-4441 or by e-mail at eschwartz@dailyinterlake.com