Fatal crash still under investigation

Authorities on Monday released the name of a Kalispell man who died last Friday when two pickups collided head-on north of Evergreen on U.S. 2.

Joel Lewis Coyle, 57, the driver of one of the pickups, was pronounced dead at the scene, according to a press release from the Flathead County Sheriff’s Office.

Coyle was wearing a seat belt but died from head and neck injuries he sustained in the crash. His death has been ruled accidental.

Coyle had two dogs in the vehicle with him. One of the dogs died in the crash and the other was injured, according to the Sheriff’s Office.

The collision followed a medical call for Coyle while he was farther up the road and believed to have been parked on the southbound side of the highway, according to the Montana Highway Patrol. The medical call was made by a passer-by.

When emergency responders from Evergreen arrived in the area, they came across the crash.

Coyle apparently had gotten back on the highway, crossing into the northbound lane and colliding with the other truck. It is believed a medical condition may have contributed to the crash.

Two people in the other pickup truck were injured and transported to Kalispell Regional Medical Center. 

The circumstances of the crash still are being investigated by the Montana Highway Patrol and a crash report has not yet been completed, according to the Kalispell District Office.