Victims of two accidents identified

 A man who died in a crash Saturday night and another who died from a fall Monday have been identified by the Flathead County Sheriff’s Office.

Fred A. Dietrich, 54, of Whitefish was speeding on East Edgewood Drive at 9:30 p.m. Saturday when he failed to negotiate a turn and struck a tree. He was pronounced dead at the scene.

Dietrich was the sole occupant of the vehicle and was not wearing a seat belt. Sheriff Chuck Curry said alcohol was involved, but to what extent will remain unknown until toxicology screenings are completed.

On Monday morning, Peter Mahlum, 60, of Bigfork was working on his student project for the Flathead Valley Community College building trades program when he fell backwards off scaffolding into a 55-gallon barrel. 

He was transported to Kalispell Regional Medical Center, where he was later pronounced dead.

Mahlum’s death remains under investigation by the Sheriff’s Office.