Early morning accident claims life of woman

An early Tuesday morning one-car accident that took a Libby woman’s life remains under investigation.

Montana Highway Patrol officer Bruce Broden said alcohol is suspected as a contributing factor in the accident.

Broden said Luanne Jean Graves, 34, died at Kalispell Regional Medical Center about eight hours after the 1:30 a.m. crash. Graves was flown to Kalispell from St. John’s Lutheran Hospital in Libby.

She was driving her compact car westbound on Kootenai River Road about one mile off Highway 37 outside Libby, Broden said. Her 1997 Chevrolet Cavalier drifted off the right shoulder and she overcorrected before the vehicle rolled twice.

Graves and her passenger, Cory Masters, 24, of Libby were not wearing seat belts. Graves was thrown from the car. Masters was not thrown and suffered minor injuries. He did not go to a hospital for treatment.

Masters reportedly went to a nearby home for help.

Witnesses indicated Graves had allegedly been drinking, Broden said. Blood samples were taken.

Graves was apparently driving toward her home.