Saltese woman dies in Lake County rollover

Wendy Gareis, a 73-year-old woman from Saltese, died Tuesday,  15,  in a single-vehicle crash on U.S. 93 near St. Ignatius.

She was driving a Mercedes-Benz GLE northbound when the crash occurred at about 8:52 a.m. According to a Montana Highway Patrol report, the woman lost control of the vehicle and went off the right side of the road. The Mercedes-Benz went airborne and flipped, and the driver was ejected. She died at the scene of the crash.

Gareis was not wearing a seat belt. Speed was considered a factor in the crash. Road conditions were wet, according to the report.

The Lake County Coroner's Office is investigating the cause and manner of death, and the Montana Highway Patrol is investigating the crash. The Lake County Sheriff and Coroner's Office extended condolences to the family and friends of Ms. Gareis.