Executive Summary
- A fatal crash occurred at 3:57 a.m. Friday on Kootenai River Road in south Lincoln County.
- Three additional accidents, including two with injuries, were reported between noon and 2:15 p.m.
- Montana Highway Patrol cited slushy snow and ice as contributing factors to the hazardous conditions.
- Responding agencies included the Lincoln County Sheriff’s Office and Libby Volunteer Fire Department.
Emergency crews in south Lincoln County, Montana, responded to multiple traffic collisions on Friday, including one confirmed fatality, as adverse winter weather conditions impacted regional roadways. The Montana Highway Patrol attributed the hazardous travel environment to slushy snow and ice accumulation, which complicated travel throughout the day.
According to the Montana Highway Patrol’s incident log, the first collision was reported at 3:57 a.m. on Kootenai River Road near Pemmican Trail. Authorities classified this incident as a fatal crash, though specific details regarding the deceased or the cause of the accident were not immediately released pending the ongoing investigation.
Subsequent accidents were reported throughout the afternoon as conditions persisted. At 12:22 p.m., a vehicle accident occurred on Highway 56 (Bull Lake Road) at mile marker 27, resulting in no reported injuries. Approximately 25 minutes later, at 12:48 p.m., a collision involving a reported injury took place at the intersection of Bowkers Street and U.S. 2.
A fourth significant incident occurred at 2:15 p.m. on U.S. 2 in the Whiskey Hill area. Officials stated that two pickup trucks were involved, with both vehicles sustaining extensive damage. Injuries were reported in this collision, which caused traffic delays while crews cleared the wreckage. Responding agencies included the Libby Volunteer Ambulance, Montana Highway Patrol, Lincoln County Sheriff’s Office, Libby Police Department, and the Libby Volunteer Fire Department.
Public Safety Impact
The concentration of traffic incidents within a single day underscores the acute risks posed by rapidly changing winter weather patterns in the region. Law enforcement agencies have explicitly urged motorists to reduce speeds and exercise extreme caution when navigating compromised road surfaces. While the investigation into the specific mechanics of the fatal crash on Kootenai River Road remains active, the correlation between the multiple wrecks suggests a widespread environmental hazard requiring heightened driver vigilance.
