Authorities ID three killed in Creston crash

The Flathead County Sheriff’s Office has released the names of three people who died in a traffic crash Saturday night in the Creston area.

The victims have been identified as Abigail Johnson, 14, and her mother, Melodi Johnson, 42, of the Dayton area, and Kevin Hunt, 28, of Kalispell, who was the lone occupant of his vehicle.

A third occupant in Johnson’s vehicle, also age 14, was taken to Kalispell Regional Medical Center, where she initially was listed in stable condition.

Flathead County Sheriff’s deputies responded to the crash in the area of Montana 35 and Indian Ridge Road just before 11 p.m.

According to the Montana Highway Patrol, Hunt was driving a 2005 GMC Sierra 2500 northbound on Montana 35 when it crossed the centerline for an unknown reason and went into the southbound lane, colliding head-on with a 2016 Dodge Caravan being driven by Melodi Johnson.

The GMC caught fire after the crash and became engulfed in flames. The Dodge came to a rest in the center of the roadway, facing south.

It is unknown if Hunt was wearing his seat belt, according to troopers. The Dayton woman and her two passengers were wearing their seat belts.

Road conditions were dry. Speed is a suspected factor in the crash.

The crash is still under investigation by the Montana Highway Patrol.

There have been 39 traffic fatalities on Montana highways in 2021.