Body found in Ronan field is that of missing Whitefish rental car driver

By Michelle Lovato

Leader reporter

reporter@leaderadvertiser.com

RONAN – An elderly Whitefish man was found dead in a field near his rented car in Ronan Aug. 21, said Lake County Undersheriff Dan Yonkin, but authorities do not know why.

Bernard F. Carlson, 69, of Whitefish, rented a Subaru before he started on his road trip south on Highway 93 more than a week earlier.

At about 4:45 p.m., a passerby saw Carlson’s body in the field just north of the Highway 93 and Light Road intersection and called Confederated Salish Kootenai Tribal officers, who then called the Lake County Sheriff’s office.

Yonkin said it looked like Carlson pulled off the side of the road and onto the embankment and did not veer off accidentally.

Yonkin said the Sheriff’s office does not believe foul play, nor suicide are the cause.

When law enforcement officials arrived, Carlson’s car was found high-centered on an embankment.

Investigators were able to connect Carlson’s car to the rental agency when they processed the scene.

Carlson’s body was transported to the Missoula Crime Lab.

More information will be posted at www.leaderadvertiser.com as it arrives.