By Patrick Winderl/Havre Daily News/pwinderl@havredailynews.com
A runaway grain truck slammed into an SUV Friday afternoon, causing a three-vehicle accident that blocked westbound traffic on First Street in Havre for several hours.
A 5-year-old boy was taken to the hospital following the collision, Havre police said today. Police said his injuries, if any, were minor.
The wreck occurred about 12:40 p.m. Friday at the intersection of First Street and Seventh Avenue. The air brakes of a 1977 GMC grain truck failed as it descended the viaduct, Havre police Lt. George Tate said. The 36-year-old driver, unable to stop the truck at the intersection, attempted to turn right, Tate said.
The truck skidded sideways into the northernmost lane of First Street and blew a tire, Tate said. The grain truck broadsided a white 2002 GMC Yukon that was westbound in that lane.
The Yukon then struck a red 1992 Buick sedan, which was westbound in the next lane, Tate said. The grain truck pushed both vehicles sideways.
When the vehicles came to a stop just south of Boxcars Casino, the front of the grain truck pressed against the passenger side of the Yukon, which was smashed into the Buick.
Neither the driver of the Yukon nor the driver of the Buick were hurt. The 5-year-boy was a passenger in the Buick. Tate said it was unclear if the boy was injured in the wreck, but that he was taken by private vehicle to Northern Montana Hospital.
Hospital spokeswoman Kathie Newell could not be reached for comment today.
The accident blocked westbound traffic on First Street for about two hours, Tate said. Police rerouted traffic around the accident, using Eight Avenue and Second Street as a detour, Tate said, adding that four officers responded to wreck. Police cleared the accident site at 3:12 p.m., Tate said.
The Buick and the grain truck were both driven from the scene. The Yukon was towed.
The Montana Highway Patrol was called to assist in the accident investigation, Tate said. The inspection revealed that the grain truck had faulty air brakes, Tate said.
The driver of the truck was cited for an equipment violation, Tate said.
