Icy roads blamed for two-car wreck
First responders work to extricate the driver of a pickup who was involved in a two-vehicle wreck Monday in Plains. (Erin Jusseaume/ Clark Fork Valley Press)
Bruce Charles holds a painting, “Forget me not”, to represent veterans who have fallen in the line of duty. “I simply represent many other people such as myself some of whom have done far more than me,” he said after accepting an award for his military service from House Rep. Greg Gianforte on Feb. 17. (Kathleen Woodford/Mineral Independent).
Bruce Charles holds a painting, “Forget me not”, to represent veterans who have fallen in the line of duty. “I simply represent many other people such as myself some of whom have done far more than me,” he said after accepting an award for his military service from House Rep. Greg Gianforte on Feb. 17. (Kathleen Woodford/Mineral Independent).
Bruce Charles holds a painting, “Forget me not”, to represent veterans who have fallen in the line of duty. “I simply represent many other people such as myself some of whom have done far more than me,” he said after accepting an award for his military service from House Rep. Greg Gianforte on Feb. 17. (Kathleen Woodford/Mineral Independent).
As the Monday morning commute began, one local Plains driver struggled to stop on the icy roads.
A white SUV traveling west on First Avenue in Plains was unable to come to a stop, which resulted in the vehicle colliding with a Chevrolet truck traveling south on Central Avenue.
The male driver of the blue pickup was pinned in the vehicle until emergency services were able to get him out.
The force from the SUV resulted in the pickup entering a resident’s yard and coming to a stop against a tree.
The accident caused damage to a chain-link fence on the property. The SUV came to a stop approximately 10 feet to the right of the accident.
The male driver was cut from the wreck as the driver’s-side door was pushed in from the force of the collision. He was taken to Clark Fork Valley Hospital.
The 39-year-old female driver of the SUV was uninjured at the site, however paramedics from Plains Ambulance did check on her. The SUV’s two child passengers also appeared to be uninjured.
Plains Chief of Police Shawn Emmett said the cause of the accident was under investigation, but speed could have been a factor.
“Drivers need to travel with caution when road conditions are bad. Be aware that stopping distances will extend and leave a few minutes earlier than normal to ensure you get to your destination safely,” said Emmett.