Kalispell woman dies in three-vehicle collision
HILARY MATHESON | Hagadone News Network | UPDATED 6 years AGO
EDUCATION REPORTER Hilary Matheson covers education for the Daily Inter Lake. Her reporting focuses on schools, students, and the policies that shape public education across Northwest Montana. Matheson regularly reports on school boards, district decisions and issues affecting teachers and families. Her work examines how funding, enrollment and state policy influence local school systems. She helps readers understand how education decisions affect students and communities throughout the region. IMPACT: Hilary’s work provides transparency and insight into the schools that serve thousands of local families. | July 20, 2020 8:00 AM
An 80-year-old Kalispell woman died in a three-vehicle collision Saturday on Montana 82 and Sportsman’s Bridge near Bigfork.
Flathead County Sheriff Brian Heino on Monday morning identified the woman as Judith Schultz.
Montana Highway Patrol responded to the scene at 7:30 p.m. According to Montana Highway Patrol Trooper Laramie Stefani the Kalispell woman was driving a 2001 Mercedes-Benz westbound when it abruptly crossed the center line into oncoming traffic and hit an eastbound 2015 Nissan Rogue head-on. The two vehicles reportedly spun out and a third vehicle, a 2013 Volkswagen Passat, which was also traveling eastbound, was unable to avoid the collision and hit the Nissan.
The Kalispell woman was declared dead at the scene.
The driver of the Nissan, a 22-year-old Missoula woman, was transported to Kalispell Regional Medical Center with non-life threatening injuries. Her passenger, a 23-year-old Missoula man, was uninjured.
The driver of the Volkswagen, a 54-year-old woman, was also uninjured as were her three passengers, a 53-year-old man, a 25-year-old man and a 22-year-old woman, all of Bigfork.
Everyone involved in the crash was wearing their seat belts according to Stefani. He said the cause of the collision is suspected to be medical related. Alcohol and speed were not factors.
Reporter Hilary Matheson may be reached at 758-4431 or [email protected].
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