The Flathead County Attorney's Office has taken over the investigation into a September car crash in Evergreen that left four teenage girls hospitalized.  

Montana Highway Patrol handed its report of the late-night Sept. 19 wreck off to the office, which will continue to gather information from law enforcement personnel, medical responders and witnesses as prosecutors decide whether to file criminal charges.  

The wreck occurred after a man driving a Dodge pickup truck on U.S. 2 swerved into oncoming traffic near the Evergreen Fire and Rescue building, authorities said. The pickup collided head-on with a Nissan SUV carrying five teenagers, according to Highway Patrol.   

The four teenage girls were hospitalized with life-threatening injuries, prompting an outpouring of community support and fundraising efforts. In the weeks since the accident, three of the girls have returned home to begin the long recovery process. The fourth, 14-year-old Madalynn Strash, remains hospitalized in Salt Lake City.  

The driver of the Dodge and the fifth passenger in the Nissan, a teenage boy, suffered only minor injuries.  

Reporter Elsa Ericksen can be reached at 406-758-4459 or [email protected]. If you value local journalism, pledge your support at dailyinterlake.com/support.