Snowstorm causes wreck

POLSON — A snowstorm and poor road conditions last Wednesday led to a collision between two vehicles on U.S. Highway 93 near the Jette Store.

According to officials, a pickup truck heading southbound on the highway was going too fast for the three inches of snow and slush on the roadway and collided with the side of a jeep heading northbound.

The jeep went into the ditch and later the driver and passenger had to be extracted from the vehicle. Both suffered injuries, but trooper Terry Rosenbaum said that they weren’t serious. The driver of the pickup truck that lost control was cited for reckless driving.

Authorities responded to the call at 10:37 a.m. on Wednesday morning and had to shut down the northbound lane to traffic. Responding authorities had to funnel traffic through one lane until the crash was cleaned up at 11:26 a.m.

“It was pretty chaotic,” Rosenbaum said.

Montana Highway Patrol, Lake County Sheriff’s Office, Polson Police, Polson Fire, Polson Ambulance and Ronan Ambulance responded to the accident, which could have ended up much worse.

“All three were wearing their seat belts which is a good thing,” Rosenbaum said.