Two identified in fatal crash near Marion

The Flathead County Sheriff’s Office has identified two Kalispell residents who were killed in a head-on collision in Marion Saturday evening.

Jeffrey Lewis, 39, and Leona Deile, 32, were driving east in a 2001 Dodge Dakota on U.S. 2 West in the correct lane when it collided with a 1999 Chevy Silverado driven by a 55-year-old Kalispell man.

According to the Montana Highway Patrol, the Silverado was traveling the wrong way — westbound in an eastbound lane.

Both vehicles reportedly swerved into the westbound lane to avoid collision, but hit each other head-on.

The 55-year-old Kalispell man was injured and taken to Kalispell Regional Medical Center. It was unknown if he was wearing a seatbelt.

Both the driver and passenger who died reportedly were not wearing seat belts.

Alcohol use is suspected to be a factor in the collision.