Paradise woman killed in multi-vehicle crash in Missoula

Two people were killed and five others injured in a three-vehicle accident in Missoula on Saturday evening.

A 66-year-old Paradise woman and 66-year-old Whitehall man died at the scene at mile marker 5 on U.S. 93 on Missoula's south side.

According to a Montana Highway Patrol report, the Paradise woman was driving a BMW 325 north on U.S. 93 at 5:44 p.m. The right-hand lane of the northbound side of the highway was icy and the driver lost traction and slid through the left-hand northbound lane and across the double-yellow line.

A Chevy Silverado traveling south on U.S. 93 hit the BMW on is passenger side, then a Jeep Cherokee heading south hit the Silverado on its passenger side.

A 45-year-old passenger in the BMW was taken to St. Patrick’s Hospital in Missoula, along with the 48-year-old driver of the Silverado and an 11-year-old boy in the SUV. A 24-year-old Charlo man driving the Cherokee and a 23-year-old passenger from Arlee were also taken to the hospital.

Drugs are suspected as a factor in the crash, according to the Highway Patrol report.