Crash first county fatal of 2010

ARLEE - A 46-year-old woman from Missoula was killed on Sunday afternoon in a three-vehicle crash on U.S. Highway 93 north of Arlee.

Robin Dawn Howell-Hintz was driving a motorcycle and not wearing a helmet during the 1 p.m. accident near mile marker 24, Montana Highway Patrol Trooper Shad Anderson said.

Anderson said a northbound Ford Explorer hauling a single axle, open top trailer lost a tire and wheel on the driver's side of the trailer. The wheel traveled into the southbound lane and struck a Volvo sport utility vehicle that sustained damage to a tire and subsequently skidded into the northbound lane. A motorcycle heading northbound driven by Howell-Hintz collided with the passenger side of the Volvo, throwing the rider and setting fire to the motorcycle.

The driver of the Explorer stopped after losing his tire and two friends of the deceased, who were following on separate motorcycles, also pulled over.

The female driver of the Volvo was transported to St. Patrick Hospital in Missoula and subsequently released, Anderson said.

Blood samples were taken of all the drivers involved in the accident, but Anderson said alcohol or drugs do not appear to be a factor at this point. The investigation is ongoing and charges may be filed against the driver of the Explorer.

"We'll need to discuss it with the county attorney," Anderson said.

Anderson said a dog in the Volvo ran out of the vehicle after the accident and was not recovered by its owner. He said that if anyone finds a black dog with brown spots to notify police.

Responders to the scene included the Arlee Fire Department, Mission Ambulance, Tribal Game Wardens and Tribal Police, Tribal and Lake County Sheriff's Office chaplains, LCSO deputies and the Montana Highway Patrol.

Sunday's incident was the first fatal highway accident in Lake County of 2010.