Three severely injured in early morning roll over

POLSON – Two men and an underage girl were seriously injured when the stolen Jeep in which they rolled flipped onto its hood and slid several yards down the northbound side of Highway 93, said Montana Highway Patrol Sgt. Randy Owens.

The accident occurred at about 2:40 a.m., Aug. 29 in front of McDonald’s in Polson when the driver drifted to the side of the road, hit the curb, overcorrected, flipped the Jeep, slid on the roof then flipped onto its wheels between 50 and 100 yards away.

All three passengers were ejected from the car and sustained serious injuries, Owens said. The underage girl was airlifted.

The two unnamed men, ages 20 and 22 appeared to be intoxicated, he said.

While processing the scene, a law enforcement officer recognized the Jeep and called a friend in Polson to ask if his friend’s Jeep was stolen.

First the friend said his Jeep was in the yard, but after a quick look outside, the friend realized his Jeep was stolen.

That’s when investigators notified him that his Jeep just withstood a severe accident near McDonalds.

Owens said the Wrangler-style 1995 Jeep lost its hood while flipping.

Though no charges were filed against the vehicle occupants yet, Owens said they may be charged later.

“Alcohol does appear to be involved,” Owens said.

And the car was stolen.

Polson Police officers will follow up with charges later.

No information about the condition of the three occupants was available at presstime.

On Sept. 4, the driver of another older Jeep flipped in the same area on Sept. 4. Details of that accident are on A12.