Hit-and-run was fatal; ID of victim pending

Kalispell Police on Monday confirmed the death of the victim of a hit-and-run collision that occurred Thursday, Sept. 27, in downtown Kalispell.

Details of the investigation, including the victim’s identity and time of death, could not be released prior to a report from the investigating detective, David Massie, according to interim Kalispell Police Chief Wade Rademacher.

Police said in a statement Friday the accident involving a burgundy-colored minivan occurred around 8:15 p.m. on Sept. 27, when the vehicle allegedly struck a victim described in police logs as a man in his late 60s near the intersection of First Avenue West and First Street West.

The driver of the van reportedly left the scene after striking the pedestrian, but contacted Kalispell police shortly afterward to report they had been in an accident.

The victim was transported to Kalispell Regional Medical Center and later died of his injuries.

The driver was questioned and released, and no charges were filed as of Friday as the investigation was still ongoing.

Kalispell Police encouraged anyone with information about the incident to contact Massie at 758-7795.