Rating:

2.0 (1 vote)

RAVALLI- Officials are investigating after a man from the town of Ravalli died in a fiery head-on collision early Monday morning in Lake County.

Montana Highway Patrol Trooper Terry Rosenbaum said a semi truck was northbound around 6:30 on U.S. Highway 93 just outside Ravalli when a southbound pick up truck swerved in front of the semi.

Rosenbaum said the semi driver attempted to avoid the crash by moving into the south bound lane, but the driver of the pick up moved back into the other lane, and the two collided head-on and both vehicles burst into flames.

The unidentified pickup truck driver, reported to be in his mid-40s, was ejected and pronounced dead at the scene.

Trooper Rosenbaum said the semi driver and his female passenger were not hurt.

Traffic was blocked for several hours. One lane opened up at 9:05 a.m. and both lanes reopened at 11:37 a.m.