Man killed in accident at rock quarry

A Columbia Falls man died in a vehicle crash at a rock quarry near McGregor Lake west of Kalispell Friday night, according to the Flathead County Sheriff’s Office.

Sheriff Chuck Curry identified the victim as 63-year-old Jerry Baller.

Baller, an employee of Montana Rockworks Inc., was operating a large, articulated dump truck at the quarry when it crashed, but Curry said it was unclear whether a medical event or the crash caused his death.

The time of death was unknown, but someone discovered Baller and reported the incident around 10:30 p.m., according to Curry.

No one was believed to have witnessed to the incident.

Baller’s body was sent to the Montana State Crime Lab for an autopsy on Monday, and the case remains under investigation.

Reporter Mary Cloud Taylor can be reached at 758-4459 or mtaylor@dailyinterlake.com.