Libby woman, 67, dies of accident injuries

A 67-year-old Libby woman has died from injuries she suffered Thursday afternoon in a head-on accident on U.S. 2 just west of Libby.

Linda Jeanne Dabel, 67, died at St. John’s Lutheran Hospital after the accident at 2:42 p.m. at milepost 22.1. Dabel was westbound in her 2001 Dodge Caravan when an eastbound 1990 Ford Bronco driven by Sue Wilson, 45, also of Libby, collided with Dabel’s vehicle.

According to the accident report by Montana Highway Patrol Officer Duane Bowers, Wilson lost control of her eastbound vehicle in slush and snow, fishtailing several times before crossing the centerline, and was struck in the driver’s side by Dabel’s vehicle. Both vehicles rotated then came to rest in the center of their original traffic lanes blocking the entire highway.

Dabel was extricated from her vehicle and immediately transported to the hospital, where she later died.

The front passenger in her vehicle, Jessica Caldwell, 31, of Troy, was treated at St. John’s. Two rear-seat passengers, Caden Caldwell, 2, and Brennan Caldwell, 2 weeks old, were properly restrained in child-safety seats.

Both children were taken to the hospital for treatment of minor injuries. Dabel and Jessica Caldwell were not wearing seat belts.

Wilson also was transported to St. John’s for treatment.

A passenger in Wilson’s vehicle, Jennifer Wilson, 27, of Libby, also was transported to St. John’s for treatment. Both Wilson women were wearing seat belts.

Traveling too fast for road conditions and lack of seat-belt use were major contributing factors in this crash.

U.S. 2 was  closed for approximately one hour.