Police suggest no charges in avalanche

MISSOULA (AP) — Missoula police recommend that no charges be filed against a snowboarder who triggered an avalanche that buried three people, leading to the death of one woman.

An investigation found the snowboarder and three sledders on Mount Jumbo on Feb. 28 didn’t see signs that indicated the area was closed to maintain elk habitat.

Missoula City Prosecutor Jim Nugent says heavy snow may have blocked the paper sign posted at the trailhead.

Nugent says state law requires that someone charged with trespassing had to have knowingly done so.

Michel Colville died two days after the slide destroyed her house. Her husband, Fred Allendorf, was badly injured while Phoenix Scoles-Coburn, 8. was hospitalized for two days.

Missoula County Attorney Fred Van Valkenburg said Thursday his office was reviewing the police findings.