Thompson Falls woman dies in crash

Poor road conditions contributed to a head-on collision resulting in a fatality late Tuesday afternoon said Montana Highway Patrolmen Rich Hader.

Peggy Lou Canyon, 87 years old, was heading East on Highway 200 when she lost control of her vehicle while crossing the Thompson River Bridge. Acording to Hader, Canyon’s vehicle hit the guard-rail and was deflected into the West bound lane where it struck an oncoming snow plow.

Although Canyon was wearing her seatbelt, and her airbags did deploy, she was killed instantly as a result of her injuries.

Larry Michelson, a 63 year-old Thompson Falls resident and driver of the snow plow, was transported to the Clark Fork Valley Hospital, treated and released for minor injuries.

Speed was not believed to be a factor in the incident, Hader said, but poor road conditions were. Snow and slush combined to create a slippery surface on the bridge deck.

Hader said traffic was stopped from approximately 4:30 until 6:45 as rescue workers cleared the scene.