Four people died in a two-vehicle, head-on traffic crash late Tuesday morning on U.S. 2 in Lincoln County.

According to Montana Highway Patrol Trooper Andy Horton, a 1999 red Dodge Dakota truck hauling a utility trailer was driving west at mile marker 59 when it crossed into the opposite lane of travel and struck a 2019 white GMC Canyon truck with three Libby residents inside.

The driver of the Dodge Dakota, a 66-year-old Kalispell man, died at the scene. It was not known if he was wearing his seat belt.

Two passengers in the GMC Canyon also died at the scene. One was a 86-year-old man and the other was an 84-year-old woman. 

The driver of the GMC, a 70-year-old man, was described as being in critical condition and was flown to Logan Health in Kalispell by an ALERT helicopter. He died later.

The 70-year-old man and 84-year-old woman were both wearing seat belts while the 86-year-old man was not wearing a safety belt.

Seat belts were in use by some individuals involved in the crash, but not all, according to Tpr. Horton.

His investigation continues.

Traffic was backed up for more than one hour.

First responders at the scene included Fisher River Valley Fire Rescue, Montana Highway Patrol, Lincoln County Sheriff’s Office, Libby Volunteer Fire Department and ALERT.

Two vehicles were involved in a fatal traffic crash Tuesday on U.S. 2, about 30 miles south of Libby. Four people died in the accident. (Scott Shindledecker/The Western News)