Driver recovering after Ravalli semi wreck

Shady spots on Highways 93 and 200 continued to be slick days after the Oct. 28 snowstorm, causing several accidents.

A two-vehicle crash just after 8 a.m. Wednesday, Oct. 30, in the U.S. 93 curves south of Ravalli resulted in traffic delays for several hours.

A southbound pickup truck was struck by the “pup” trailer behind a northbound semi-truck. Lake County Sheriff Don Bell says it is not yet known whether

the trailer detached prior to the impact, or as a result of it.

Two “Jaws of Life” teams, from St. Ignatius and Arlee fire departments, were required to extract the pickup driver, as the trailer had wrapped around the pickup, according to Bell.

The driver received extensive injuries and was taken by air ambulance to a Missoula hospital.

The semi-truck driver was also transported to the hospital for evaluation.

Traffic was blocked in both lanes for at least two hours. One lane was then opened, but delays continued into mid-afternoon as the site was cleared of debris and investigated.

The pup trailer had to be pulled off the stream-side guard rail and had spilled some of its contents.

Montana Highway Patrol Trooper Wayne Bieber reports the pickup driver is recovering. No citations have been issued at this time, and the investigation is continuing.