Fatal accident on Hwy 28
The orange tractor-trailer was hit by a flatbed truck on Tuesday as both trucks were heading south on Highway 28.
LONE PINE - One person died early Tuesday afternoon when a flatbed truck heading south on Highway 28 crashed into the rear end of an orange tractor-trailer rig.
The male driver of the flatbed truck was killed, crushed between the two trucks, and the driver and passenger of the orange semi were taken to St. Joseph Hospital in Polson with minor injuries, according to law enforcement officers.
The accident occurred in the highway construction zone.
Construction workers heard the crash and were the ones to report it to authorities. The Hot Springs volunteer fire department was the first to arrive on scene, followed by Montana highway patrolmen and Sanders County deputies.
According to witnesses, Highway Patrol Trooper Terry Rosenbaum said, it appeared that the orange semi met a cloud of dust and slowed down to a crawl.
"Visibility and speed were both factors and the second truck probably slowed down too late," said Rosenbaum.
Rosenbaum said the driver of the second truck was going well over 35 miles per hour, the designated speed limit in the construction zone.
Highway Patrol Trooper Darlene Lee is furthering the investigation and waiting to speak to the driver and passenger of the orange semi to determine exactly what happened.
The name of the victim had not been released at press time. Check back for updates.