One dead in two-vehicle crash south of Polson
BERL TISKUS | Hagadone News Network | UPDATED 2 years, 6 months AGO
Reporter Berl Tiskus joined the Lake County Leader team in early March 2023, and covers Ronan City Council, schools, ag and business. Berl grew up on a ranch in Wyoming and earned a degree in English education from MSU-Billings and a degree in elementary education from the University of Montana. Since moving to Polson three decades ago, she’s worked as a substitute teacher, a reporter for the Valley Journal and a secretary for Lake County Extension. Contact her at [email protected] or 406-883-4343. | June 30, 2023 12:00 AM
A two-car crash on June 19 at about 5 p.m. resulted in the death of one of the drivers. The vehicles collided at mile marker 58, which is near the intersection of U.S. 93 and Ridgewater Drive, south of Polson.
The first car, a Pontiac Bonneville driven by a 20-year-old woman from Polson, was in the northbound lane making a lefthand turn onto Ridgewater Drive. The second, a Mercedes 300 driven by a 92-year-old man from St. Ignatius, was headed south on U.S. 93.
According to the Montana Highway Patrol report, the first vehicle struck the driver’s door of the Mercedes while negotiating the left-hand turn. After impact, the Mercedes continued off the road for approximately 20 yards before stopping.
The driver of the Mercedes immediately was taken to Providence St. Joseph Medical Center in Polson but died on June 25 from injuries sustained in the accident. Both drivers were wearing their seat belts, and road conditions were bare and dry.
Montana Highway Patrol Trooper Julian Gallegos, who responded to the crash, said the investigation is ongoing. He also could not comment on whether citations had been issued, nor did he release the names of the drivers involved.
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