Update: 6:30 p.m. Thursday, August 28
Four people died in a crash on U.S. Highway 93 north of St. Ignatius on Wednesday evening, according to Lake County Sheriff Don Bell.
The incident occurred around 5:30 p.m. in the Post Creek Hill area and involved an RV carrying 10 passengers and a passenger car. All four occupants of the passenger vehicle were killed, while the RV’s passengers suffered minor injuries but survived.
Traffic was rerouted for over three hours as emergency officials managed the scene. The deceased were transported to the Montana State Medical Examiner’s Office for autopsy, and the Lake County Coroner’s Office is investigating the cause and manner of death.
The Montana Highway Patrol is conducting a separate investigation into the crash. Victim identities have been confirmed as 53-year-old Denise Burland of Polson, 53-year-old Jo Lynn Leishman of Pablo, 52-year-old Lanelle Fisher of Ronan, and 42-year-old Kimberly R. Hewankorn of Polson. No further details about the circumstances of the crash have been released at this time.