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Alcohol and speed suspected in fatal Columbia Falls crash

HILARY MATHESON | Hagadone News Network | UPDATED 4 years, 11 months AGO
by HILARY MATHESON
Daily Inter Lake | December 19, 2020 6:00 PM

A 38-year-old Flathead County man died after his truck hit a tree on Friday night.

According to Montana Highway Patrol, the man was driving a 2002 Chevrolet Silverado eastbound on Tavern Lane in Columbia Falls. Montana Highway Patrol Trooper Laramie Stefani said the man was speeding in a 35 mph zone and was not wearing his seat belt. As the truck approached the intersection of Tavern Lane and Mooring Road, the driver failed to negotiate the turn and the vehicle went into a sideways skid. The truck went off Mooring Road and hit a large tree.

Troopers arrived at the scene at 9:08 p.m. and the man was pronounced dead.

Road conditions were bare and dry. Alcohol, drugs and speed are suspected factors in the crash, according to troopers.

The name of the man has not been released.

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