Drugs, alcohol suspected in deadly Sunday afternoon wreck

A 38-year-old Columbia Falls man was killed in what authorities suspect was a drug or alcohol-fueled wreck on Montana 35 near Kalispell on Sunday afternoon.  

The man was driving in the southbound lane in a Chevrolet Equinox when he allegedly crossed the center line near mile marker 46 at 3:18 p.m. and collided with a Dodge Ram headed in the other direction, according to Montana Highway Patrol. Emergency responders pronounced him dead at the scene. 

The 38-year-old was not wearing a seatbelt, authorities said.  

The two men in the Dodge Ram, a 41-year-old driver and a 46-year-old passenger, were both injured in the collision and hospitalized at Logan Health Medical Center. The 46-year-old was not wearing a seatbelt, officials said. 

Authorities described the road conditions at the time of the wreck as wet. 

News Editor Derrick Perkins can be reached at 758-4430 or dperkins@dailyinterlake.com.