Three people hurt in four-vehicle crash

A four-car accident south of Somers caused by an inattentive driver sent several people to the hospital Thursday afternoon.

Shortly before 12:30 p.m., a motorist in a pickup truck was northbound on U.S. 93 near mile marker 100, then slowed and stopped in the road to make a left turn into a driveway, according to Montana Highway Patrol Trooper Jason Fetterhoff.

Another motorist in a sport-utility vehicle driving north behind the pickup was not paying attention and didn’t notice the stopped vehicle, Fetterhoff said, rear-ending it and sending it into the southbound lane, where it was struck by a car and another pickup truck behind it.

The SUV and the pickup that it struck ended up on opposite sides of the road, while the car shot off the road and through a fence and the pickup following it traveled a bit farther before rolling off the road and down an embankment.

Two people in the car were hospitalized — one transported by the ALERT helicopter with a broken femur and the other transported by ground ambulance. A person who was in the pickup that was rear-ended also was taken to the hospital by ground ambulance.

Others were taken to the hospital in private vehicles.

Fetterhoff said alcohol was not involved in the crash, only inattentive driving.

The Lakeside Quick Response Unit, Kalispell Fire Department, Somers Fire Department and Flathead County Sheriff’s Office responded to the crash along with the highway patrol and ALERT.

Reporter Jesse Davis may be reached at 758-4441 or by email at jdavis@dailyinterlake.com.