Pedestrian killed in crash on Polson's Main Street

A pedestrian was killed in a multi-vehicle crash on Main Street in Polson Sunday evening.

According to a report from Polson Police, the incident occurred at approximately 7:43 p.m. Aug. 9 on Main Street, just north of the intersection with U.S. Highway 93, and involved three vehicles and a pedestrian.

Upon arriving at the scene, Polson Police determined that a vehicle, driven by Thomas Redmond Jr., had collided with a parked vehicle while turning from U.S. Highway 93 onto Main Street. The force of the initial collision propelled the parked vehicle into a pedestrian and a second parked vehicle.

The pedestrian, later identified as Howard Wilson, was walking between the two parked vehicles at the time of the crash. Wilson sustained life-threatening injuries and was first transported to Providence St. Joseph Hospital in Polson and then St. Patrick Hospital in Missoula where he later died from those injuries.

“First and foremost, our thoughts are with Mr. Wilson’s family and loved ones as they cope with this tragic loss,” said Polson Police Chief George Simpson. “A fatal crash affects an entire community, and our officers are working diligently to determine exactly what happened.”

According to the press release, investigators believe impairment and speed may have been contributing factors in the crash.

Redmond, 21, was arrested for Driving Under the Influence of Alcohol and/or Drugs and was later charged with Vehicular Homicide While Under the Influence. As of Tuesday morning, he was incarcerated at the Lake County Detention Facility.

The investigation remains ongoing.