Fatal crash slows Montana 35 traffic
<p><strong>Emergency</strong> responders including Creston and Evergreen fire departments, the Flathead County Sheriff’s Office and Montana Highway Patrol were at the scene of a fatal head-on collision in the westbound lane of Montana 35 on Monday afternoon. (Brenda Ahearn/Daily Inter Lake) </p>
A head-on collision east of Kalispell Monday afternoon left one man dead and another man injured after a Jeep reportedly crossed over the center line of Montana 35.
Montana Highway Patrol Sgt. Josh Brown said the driver of the eastbound Jeep was pronounced dead at the scene. The driver of the westbound Dodge involved in the crash was transported by ambulance to the hospital.
Neither of the victims’ names had been released as of 5 p.m. Monday. Neither vehicle was transporting any passengers.
The crash occurred west of the junction with Montana 206 at 4:23 p.m.
Brown said alcohol did not appear to be a factor in the crash and he did not know whether the two drivers were wearing seat belts.
Eastbound traffic approaching Woody’s Country Store was backed up for more than a mile as the highway was reduced to a single lane of traffic while troopers investigated the collision.
Creston Fire Department, Evergreen Fire and Rescue and the Flathead County Sheriff’s Office also responded to the crash.