Three Flathead residents die in weekend accidents

Three Flathead Valley residents died in weekend traffic accidents in the county.

Flathead County Sheriff Brian Heino has identified two of them.

One included a Columbia Falls man, 63-year-old Glenn Ray Wilms, who died Sunday morning after a traffic accident on U.S. 2 East in Columbia Falls.

According to Montana Highway Patrol Trooper Andrew Horton, Wilms was driving a green 1999 Subaru Forester east when it traveled off the road and struck a traffic light support pole at the intersection of U.S. 2 and South Hilltop Road.

Horton said there was no indication of the vehicle braking. It was also believed speed or alcohol were not factors. However, the man was not wearing a seat belt. There were no other people in the car.

A second death occurred when 51-year-old Shane Pierson, of Columbia Falls, was driving a motorcycle and collided with a deer on Columbia Falls Stage Road at about 10:48 p.m. Sunday.

Heino said Pierson was wearing a helmet.

According to Montana Highway Patrol, Pierson's helmet came off in the crash and he suffered serious injuries. He was taken to Logan Health and died later.

A third person died in a head-on crash at about 12:55 a.m. Sunday on Montana 206.

According to Montana Highway Patrol, a 32-year-old Kalispell man was driving north in a Volkswagen Jetta when it failed to negotiate a right curve, crossed the center line and struck a Honda Accord driven by an 18-year-old man from Columbia Falls.

Both drivers were taken to Logan Health for treatment. The 32-year-old Kalispell man later died of injuries suffered in the crash.

According to Montana Highway Patrol Trooper Eric Thoreson, both drivers were wearing their seat belts. He also reported drugs and alcohol were suspected factors in the crash.

Montana Highway Patrol statistics indicate the accidents brought the total number of deceased statewide to 98 in 2021.

Reporter Scott Shindledecker may be reached at 758-4441 or sshindledecker@dailyinterlake.com.