Ronan man dies in rear-end accident yesterday

RONAN ­ Andre Dullinger, A 25 year-old Ronan man, died after he slammed into the back of a commercial potato truck, at about 5:15, Sept. 23.

Montana Highway Patrol Sgt. Randy Owens said the crash occurred on the northbound side of US Highway 93 as the potato truck driver, a 47 year-old Polson man, was accelerating his fully-loaded truck to traffic speed. The truck driver just turned onto the road from Old Hwy 93.

The 25-year-old, who was driving a 2001 Toyota Avalon, was pronounced dead at the scene, Owens said.

Official did not release names.

Owens said the potato truck driver was not hurt.

Montana Highway Patrol troopers will look at speed, alcohol, distracted driving and other factors to determine the accident's cause.

The northbound side of Hwy. 93 was closed for several hours after the accident and traffic was re-routed through Pablo, Owens said.

Officers from the Montana Highway Patrol, Lake County Sheriff's Department, CSKT Police, Ronan Fire and Rescue and Montana Department of Transportation assisted at the accident scene.