Celebrate responsibly: Keep our roadways safe

A pair of heartbreaking vehicle crashes last week near Bigfork devastated two local families and sent ripples throughout the community.

On Dec. 1, a suspected DUI driver allegedly attempted to pass in a no-passing zone on Montana 83 and collided head-on with vehicle carrying Kalispell residents Teressa Brandt, her daughter Ashytn and her fiance Wyatt Potts. 

Potts, 33, tragically died in the crash, and Teressa and 15-year-old Ashytn were seriously injured. Teressa, a mother of three children, has been in a coma since the accident, according to a GoFundMe account set up to benefit the victims, having suffered a traumatic brain injury among other major injuries. 

Potts, who worked at Kalispell Toyota with Teressa, was known for his sense of humor and cheerful attitude. “His positive attitude and warm smile will be deeply missed by all who knew him,” the GoFundMe states. 

A few days earlier, Bigfork couple Sol and Walter, were driving home from work on Montana 35 when they were struck head-on by a vehicle that crossed the center line. Sol tragically died in the collision and Walter was seriously injured, according to a GoFundMe to benefit the victims. Sol and her children had just moved to the area from Venezuela a few weeks prior to be with her husband. 

While the circumstances of these wrecks remain under investigation, it’s clear that the terrible and senseless loss of life will have impacts on each of these families forever.  

Unfortunately, data shows a correlation between an increase in traffic fatalities and the holidays, with contributing factors typically being excessive alcohol consumption, distracted driving, drowsiness and inclement weather like snow, ice and fog. 

According to Highway Patrol statistics, Montana shamefully boasts one of the nation’s highest fatality rates for the number of deaths caused by impaired drivers per vehicle mile traveled. We are grateful for local and state law enforcement agencies’ commitment to ramp up patrols through the New Year to help tamp down on drunk driving and keep our roadways safe. 

They implore those attending or hosting a Christmas gathering to designate a sober driver, use ride-sharing services and do what it takes to ensure all guests are OK to be on the road. 

Please, celebrate responsibly, so we can all return home safely.