Larry Kline
Havre Daily News
lkline@havredailynews.com
A one-vehicle crash near Zurich on Thursday claimed the life of a Havre man. Another is listed in critical condition at Benefis East in Great Falls.
Blaine Lee Wombold, 29, died after being transported to Northern Montana Hospital, Blaine County Coroner Marvin Edwards said today.
Wombold was the front-seat passenger in a vehicle driven by Rock Harold Ailport, 50, of Havre, a Montana Highway Patrol report said.
The 1985 Chevrolet Suburban was eastbound on U.S. Highway 2 three miles west of Zurich when it drifted into oncoming traffic, the Highway Patrol said. The driver cut back and the vehicle went into a ditch on the south side of the road. It traveled 400 feet before it began to roll. The truck rolled three or four times before coming to rest, the patrol said.
The crash occurred about 2:10 p.m.
Wombold was completely ejected from the vehicle.
Ailport, who was partially ejected, is listed in critical condition at Benefis East, a hospital spokeswoman said today.
Joshua Rock Ailport, 18, of Havre also was riding in the vehicle. He was initially transported to Northern Montana Hospital, the Highway Patrol said. He is no longer a patient at the hospital, spokeswoman Kathie Newell said today. He is not a patient at Benefis Healthcare.
Wombold was a hard worker and devoted father of two sons, ages 10 and 2, his father, Lauren Wombold, said today.
Wombold was an employee of Red Rock Drilling Co. of Havre.
“He was a very easygoing, fun-loving kid,” Lauren Wombold said. “He'll be very, very missed by everyone around him.”
Lauren Wombold was visiting Twin Falls, Idaho, when he heard the news. He is returning to Havre today.
“Right now it feels like a bad dream,” he said. “It hasn't hit bottom yet.”
