Briefs for Sept. 15, 2021
Hey savvy news reader! Thanks for choosing local.
You are now reading
1 of 3 free articles.
Man who died in Arlee structure fire identified as Leroy Houle
News from the Lake County Sheriff’s Office
ARLEE — Pursuant to an autopsy conducted by the Montana State Forensic Lab, the Lake County Coroner’s Office has identified the man who died as a result of the Aug. 28, 2021, structure fire on Coombs Lane in Arlee. The deceased is identified as 46-year-old Leroy Houle, of Arlee. The cause of the fire remains under investigation by the Lake County Sheriff’s Office in coordination with the State Fire Marshall’s Office. The Sheriff’s Office sends our condolences to the family and friends of Mr. Houle.
One woman killed, four others injured in one-vehicle accident
By Summer Goddard / Valley Journal
STEVENSVILLE — A 30-year-old woman was killed and four other people, all from St. Ignatius, were injured in a one-vehicle highway accident that occurred on Tuesday, Sept. 7, near Stevensville.
According to information from the Montana Highway Patrol, a Dodge Dakota pickup was northbound on MT Hwy. 203 at approximately 5:30 p.m. when the driver said he looked over at a passenger and started to veer left into the oncoming lane. The driver then overcorrected and went off the right side of the road into a borrow pit. The vehicle reportedly traveled another 200 feet before it went into a roll, eventually coming to rest on its roof. The 30-year-old woman was partially ejected and an 8-year-old girl was fully ejected. The woman later died from injuries at the hospital. All four of the vehicle’s other occupants, the 37-year-old driver and three girls, ages 7, 8 and 10 sustained injuries. According to the MHP report, none of the vehicle’s occupants wore seatbelts. The crash is still under investigation.