Two injured in crash near Libby

Two people involved in a car crash near Libby were flown to Kalispell to deal with life-threatening injuries sustained Sunday evening. Alcohol was a factor in the crash.

At 6:18 p.m. on Sunday, Lincoln County Sheriff’s Dispatch received a report of a one-vehicle crash on Pipe Creek Road near mile marker 3, north of Libby.

Deputies were dispatched to the scene along with Libby Ambulance, Advanced Life Support, Life Flight helicopter, ALERT helicopter and Libby Volunteer Fire Department, said Lincoln County Sheriff Roby Bowe.

Responders found a one-vehicle rollover of a 2004 Ford pickup. Two adult male occupants and one juvenile passenger were involved.

The driver, Tyler A. Ruhter, 31, and the adult passenger, Joseph Wesley Barnes, 39, were flown to Kalispell Regional Medical Center. Both were in critical condition.

The juvenile male, 13, had non-life-threatening injuries.

According to Bowe, initial findings at the scene made it appear the driver was heading northbound on Pipe Creek Road, failed to negotiate a left curve properly and lost control when he overcorrected.

The vehicle rolled multiple times. None of the occupants were wearing seatbelts and all three were ejected from the vehicle while rolling.

Montana Highway Patrol is investigating the crash.