Columbia Falls man dies in fiery crash near Whitefish

A Columbia Falls man died in a fiery crash Thursday morning on Montana 40 near Whitefish.

According to Montana Highway Patrol, the 36-year-old was driving a Subaru Outback westbound on the highway at about 8:45 a.m. when the vehicle crossed the center turn lane. An oncoming vehicle pulling a trailer swerved in an attempt to avoid a collision, but the Subaru struck the vehicle’s front left side, went off the roadway and burst into flames.

The Subaru driver died at the scene.

The other driver, a 49-year-old from Columbia Falls, had minor injuries.

Road conditions were dry.