FLORENCE – One person is in intensive care and four others were hospitalized after a two-vehicle crash near Florence on U.S. Highway 93 Tuesday afternoon.
Montana Highway Patrol Trooper Lath Keith tells MTN News that the collision happened at 3:21 p.m. at mile marker 76.
Keith says an SUV was attempting to turn north onto U.S. Highway 93 from County Line Road and pulled out in front of another vehicle headed southbound on Highway 93.
The driver of the southbound vehicle was transported by Life Flight helicopter to St. Patrick Hospital in Missoula, and remains in intensive care. Two other occupants in that vehicle were transported by ambulance to the same hospital. Their conditions are unknown.
Two people in the SUV were taken by ambulance to Community Medical Center in Missoula with unknown injuries.
The Missoula County Sheriff’s Office says both lanes of traffic were blocked at the Missoula/Ravalli County line. MCSO issued a MEANS alert Tuesday afternoon and both lanes of traffic were reopened shortly after 5 p.m.
The cause of the crash remains under investigation, but MHP does not believe alcohol or speed are factors.
Numerous agencies responded to the scene. Everyone involved in the accident was wearing seatbelts.
UPDATE 5:06 p.m. – Highway 93 has reopened in both directions at the Missoula/Ravalli county line Tuesday after a multi-vehicle crash shut down traffic in the area earlier in the afternoon, according to the Missoula County Sheriff’s Office.
We are still seeking information on the crash itself and will update this story as soon as we learn more,
FLORENCE – The Missoula County Sheriff’s Office has issued a MEANS alert Tuesday afternoon.
Highway 93 at the Missoula/Ravalli county line is closed due to a multi-vehicle accident.
Motorists should watch for detours.
— This is a developing story.
