HWY 93 accident kills Dixon man

CHARLO — One local man was killed and two others were injured and transported to St. Luke Hospital after a four vehicle crash on U.S. Highway 93 Friday afternoon.

According to Montana Highway Patrol Trooper Tim Proctor, the crash occurred at mile marker 41 near the Ninepipes area at approximately 3:44 p.m. when a southbound Ford Explorer, driven by Joshua Stubbs, slowed down and was rear ended by a Honda Civic, forcing the red SUV into oncoming traffic and the path of a northbound Kenworth logging semi-truck.

The Explorer was hit in the passenger side in a “T-bone” fashion by the semi, severely crushing in the car on one side and forcing the SUV back into southbound traffic where it struck a white Dodge Caravan. The semi continued off the right side of the northbound lanes, through the ditch and a fence, before coming to rest on its wheels in the neighboring field.

Stubbs, 18, of Dixon, died at St. Luke Hospital on Friday from fatal injuries incurred from the crash. The Civic driver William Maus of Clinton and semi driver Clinton Sohr of Ronan were transported to St. Luke, but discharged later on Friday with minor injuries.

Trooper Proctor said although the road pavement was wet and it was raining at the time of accident, he does not believe weather conditions played a serious factor in the cause of the accident — which is still under investigation. Proctor also added that at this time he did not believe that alcohol or drug use or even speed were at the route of the fatal crash.

The last fatal crash on Hwy 93 was a six vehicle pileup nearby at mile marker 37.5 on Dec. 19. Harsh winter storm conditions did play a factor in that late 2008 fatal wreck.