Semi swerved to avoid head-on collision

Semi swerved to avoid head-on collision

Tim Leeds [email protected]

Michael Kinsey of Harlem was cited with numerous legal violations, including minor in possession of intoxicants and driving under the influence, after he crashed the car he was driving into a semitrailer just east of Chinook at 7:35 a.m. Saturday.

Kinsey, 19, and the passenger in the 1999 Buick Regal he was driving, Cameron Gilham of Harlem, 21, were injured in the crash and transported to Northern Montana Hospital by ambulances from Blaine and Phillips counties.

The driver of the 1974 Kenworth semi, 45-year-old Todd Dull of Kalispell, was not listed as injured in the crash.

Northern Montana Hospital reported this morning that Kinsey was treated and discharged from the emergency room. Gilham was listed as a patient in stable condition.

According to the Montana Highway Patrol crash report, Kinsey's vehicle had been reported as driving erratically before the crash occurred. Kinsey was driving the vehicle west on U.S. Highway 2.

At the time of the crash, the Buick crossed the center line and was traveling west in the eastbound lane, the report said, in speeds believed to be in excess of the 70 mph speed limit.

The Kenworth driven by Dull was eastbound traveling at an estimated speed of 40 mph.

Dull swerved left to avoid a head-on collision, and Kinsey's vehicle ran down the passenger side of the truck and trailer. The Buick struck the Kenworth's drive axles, then spun and hit the outer tires on the passenger side of the trailer, the report said.

The Buick then spun sideways onto the highway and rolled multiple times, ending in the barrow pit on the north side of the highway.

Gilham was fully ejected from the vehicle; Kinsey was not ejected.

The report said Kinsey was cited for DUI, MIP, crossing the center of the highway, seatbelt violation and negligent vehicular assault.

Michael Kinsey of Harlem was cited with numerous legal violations, including minor in possession of intoxicants and driving under the influence, after he crashed the car he was driving into a semitrailer just east of Chinook at 7:35 a.m. Saturday.

Kinsey, 19, and the passenger in the 1999 Buick Regal he was driving, Cameron Gilham of Harlem, 21, were injured in the crash and transported to Northern Montana Hospital by ambulances from Blaine and Phillips counties.

The driver of the 1974 Kenworth semi, 45-year-old Todd Dull of Kalispell, was not listed as injured in the crash.

Northern Montana Hospital reported this morning that Kinsey was treated and discharged from the emergency room. Gilham was listed as a patient in stable condition.

According to the Montana Highway Patrol crash report, Kinsey's vehicle had been reported as driving erratically before the crash occurred. Kinsey was driving the vehicle west on U.S. Highway 2.

At the time of the crash, the Buick crossed the center line and was traveling west in the eastbound lane, the report said, in speeds believed to be in excess of the 70 mph speed limit.

The Kenworth driven by Dull was eastbound traveling at an estimated speed of 40 mph.

Dull swerved left to avoid a head-on collision, and Kinsey's vehicle ran down the passenger side of the truck and trailer. The Buick struck the Kenworth's drive axles, then spun and hit the outer tires on the passenger side of the trailer, the report said.

The Buick then spun sideways onto the highway and rolled multiple times, ending in the barrow pit on the north side of the highway.

Gilham was fully ejected from the vehicle; Kinsey was not ejected.

The report said Kinsey was cited for DUI, MIP, crossing the center of the highway, seatbelt violation and negligent vehicular assault.