Highway Patrol IDs man who died following traffic stop

The Montana Highway Patrol has identified the man who died of apparent self-inflicted gunshot injuries following a traffic stop near Creston on Monday as Mark Johnston Parker, 61, of Kalispell.

Parker died Monday evening following a traffic stop by the Montana Highway Patrol in the area of Montana 35 and Turtle Mountain Road. During the stop, the Highway Patrol trooper identified the driver had a weapon. During the incident, the driver discharged a firearm and sustained injuries to the head.

Responding law enforcement, medical personnel and ALERT helicopter responded and transported Parker to Kalispell Regional Medical Center, where he later died from his injuries.

The investigation indicated a Taser was deployed by the trooper, but the trooper did not fire his service weapon, according to the press release.

The Flathead County Sheriff’s Office Detective division is handling the investigation.