Kalispell man dies in Jefferson County crash

A traffic accident Saturday evening in Jefferson County south of Helena claimed the life of a 20-year-old Kalispell man.

According to Montana Highway Patrol, the man was driving a Hyundai Elantra south on Interstate 15 when it left the left side of road in a counter clockwise skid, crossed the median, rolled and came to rest on its roof in the northbound lane at mile marker 176. It is believed the car hydroplaned on wet roads.

The driver was not wearing a seat belt and was ejected. He died at the scene.

Two others in the vehicle were also injured. One was a 19-year-old Kalispell man, who was wearing a seat belt. The second was a 19-year-old Hot Springs man who wasn’t wearing a seat belt. Both were taken to a hospital.

Drugs, alcohol, and the failure to wear seat belts also were factors in the crash.