Libby teen seriously injured in U.S. 2 crash

LIBBY — Two people were injured Monday — one of them critically — during a head-on collision about six miles south of Libby on U.S. 2.

Patrick Faulkner, 15, of Libby was southbound when the 1999 Toyota Camry he was driving crossed the centerline and struck a northbound 1996 Ford F250 pickup truck driven by Robert Adkison, 64, also of Libby.

Faulkner was taken by ambulance to St. John’s Lutheran Hospital in Libby and then airlifted to Kalispell. Faulkner, whose condition was critical, suffered head and chest injuries.

Adkison, who was walking about the accident scene, also was transported to the hospital as a precaution.

Adkison told Montana Highway Patrol Trooper Bryce Ford he saw Faulkner’s silver Camry hit the westbound guardrail and then careen back onto the roadway before the impact.

Adkison told Ford: “There was nowhere for me to go. There were guardrails on both sides.”

Ford said both vehicles were totaled.

The Libby Volunteer Fire Department responded to the scene and removed the roof of the Camry to extricate Faulkner.

Faulkner’s parents are Brent and Kate Faulkner of Libby. Brent Faulkner is Lincoln County undersheriff.