CHINOOK, Mont. (NMB) – A single vehicle crash in the construction zone on US Highway 2 between Havre and Chinook early Wednesday morning resulted in one fatality.
The Montana Highway Patrol reports the crash occurred at around 2 AM at mile marker 396.9, when a Chevy half ton pickup driving westbound exited the pavement and entered the transition onto a gravel surface. The vehicle went into a driver side skid, tripping on the soft gravel of the shoulder. The vehicle made a half revolution and came to rest upside-down.
The lone occupant of the vehicle, a 22-year-old male from Helena, was partially ejected and pinned under the vehicle.
MHP Trooper Matt Erickson says the man, who was breathing at the scene of the crash, was transported to Northern Montana Hospital. It is unclear at what point the man was declared dead.
The man was not wearing a seat-belt.
Alcohol and excessive speed are suspected factors. The posted speed limit where the crash occurred is 35 miles per hour.
The road was bare and dry.
The victim’s name has not yet been released.
The crash remains under investigation.
