Close call for county commissioner
Flathead County Commissioner Dale Lauman is escorted away from his pickup truck by Montana Highway Patrol Trooper Ed Sievers. Lauman’s truck crashed into brush on the north side of the KGEZ building in south Kalispell on Friday afternoon.
Flathead County Commissioner Dale Lauman was not injured Friday after his truck crossed several lanes of traffic on U.S. 93 and nearly crashed into a building south of Kalispell.
Montana Highway Patrol troopers responded to the crash at about 1:20 p.m. after it was initially reported that Lauman’s Chevrolet pickup truck had crashed into radio station KGEZ.
His truck came just short of striking the building, coming to rest against small trees and brush that border the radio station.
“He was driving southbound and had a medical issue that caused him to cross the highway and jump the curb,” Montana Highway Patrol Trooper Ed Sievers said. “He kind of coasted and hit the trees.”
Lauman, 71, said afterwards that he briefly lost consciousness as he was driving home to Lakeside from a Neighbors in Need luncheon in Kalispell.
His southbound truck swerved left and traveled across at least two lanes before stopping just short of the building.
“I blacked out and just went off the road,” Lauman said. “I opened my eyes and I’m in the ditch. It’s just very fortunate no one got hurt.”
Lauman, who has served as one of three county commissioners since 2007, said the episode was likely due to ongoing medical issues.
He began undergoing treatment for non-Hodgkins stage II lymphoma just before Christmas 2009 and also has diabetes.
After months of chemotherapy, he said he’s cancer-free now but recently has been battling a staph infection in his bloodstream.
Lauman, who still is under a doctor’s care, said he suspects one of several medications could have caused him to briefly lose consciousness.
“My guardian angel was with me,” Lauman said. “I’ve never had anything like that happen to me before.”
Lauman’s wife, Lois, picked him up at the scene. His truck, which sustained slight front-end damage, was pulled away from the building by a tow truck and driven away.
Lauman, who was resting at home Friday afternoon, said he plans to consult his physicians about the crash.
Lauman was examined by paramedics at the scene.
Sievers said Lauman was not issued a citation for the crash.
Reporter Eric Schwartz may be reached at 758-4441 or by e-mail at eschwartz@dailyinterlake.com.