Friday accidents close Hwy 200 for two hours

PARADISE – Two vehicles were involved in an accident, Friday afternoon, which closed down traffic on Highway 200 near mile marker 87 for a couple hours.

While there were two vehicles involved, the accidents themselves were separate and largely unconnected. According to the Montana Highway Patrol trooper on scene, around 12:55 pm the first vehicle was coming around a bend when it lost control and went off the road; the vehicle hit a delineator post and flipped onto its roof, coming to rest in the eastbound lane.

The second vehicle came around the bend a short time later, but also lost control and went off the road. The vehicle also rolled into the eastbound lane and stopped on the driver’s side.

“The second accident was less involved,” the trooper said of the situation. 

Current investigations indicate both vehicles lost control due to icy road conditions or other poor environmental circumstances.

There was rumor of a third accident, but the third vehicle was a bystander who stopped to assist with the situation.

There were some minor injuries sustained in the accidents and the injured parties were transported to a hospital.

Traffic was stopped going both directions on the highway while the vehicles were recovered from the scene and the area cleaned up. MHP recalled traffic was closed for approximately two hours, reopening at approximately 3 pm.