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Driver injured in highway rollover

HILARY MATHESON | Hagadone News Network | UPDATED 8 years, 4 months AGO
by HILARY MATHESON
Daily Inter Lake | June 29, 2016 5:19 PM

An 18-year-old Kila woman was extricated from her pickup truck using Jaws of Life after her vehicle rolled into a ditch Wednesday afternoon on U.S. 2 West at mile marker 120.

The woman was driving westbound when a bug landed on her and distracted her, according to Montana Highway Patrol Trooper John Underwood.

He said the driver started drifting into a ditch as she took her eyes off the road and rolled down the window to get the bug out.

When the woman realized she was in the ditch, she overcorrected and crossed the center line of the road into oncoming traffic before her vehicle rolled nearly three times into the opposite ditch, Underwood said.

The truck came to a rest on the driver’s side and the woman was partially ejected out the rear left window of the extended cab.

“At that point her left leg and arm were pinned between the ground and the truck came to rest on top of her,” Underwood said.

Underwood said the woman was not properly wearing her seat belt.

The woman was traveling just under the speed limit in a 60 mph zone, Underwood said.

No one else was injured in the accident.

The woman was transported to Kalispell Regional Medical Center and her injuries didn’t appear to be life-threatening Underwood said.

“This would be a good time to remind people to be using their seat belt and not be distracted by anything while driving,” Underwood said.

Hilary Matheson is a reporter for The Daily Inter Lake. She may be reached at 758-4431 or hmatheson@dailyinterlake.com.

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