Crash kills Whitefish woman

A Whitefish woman was killed in a head-on crash Monday on U.S. 2 near Marias Pass.

The Montana Highway Patrol identified the woman as Amy K. Searles, 26.

Searles was driving westbound in her Nissan Sentra while an eastbound Dodge pickup truck occupied by three people from Milk River, Alberta, was heading westbound at about 1:45 p.m.

The Nissan crossed the center line and the two vehicles sideswiped each other.

The Nissan continued traveling into the westbound borrow pit, coming to a rest in standing water, while the Dodge stopped in the westbound lane, blocking traffic.

Searles was not wearing a seat belt and she was pronounced dead at the scene.

The three people in the pickup truck were wearing their seat belts and did not require medical attention.

Alcohol was not a factor in the accident, and it was unknown whether excessive speed played a role.