Accident kills woman, 67

A 67-year-old Libby area woman died as a result of injuries suffered Thursday afternoon in a head-on accident on Highway 2 just west of Libby.

Linda Jeanne Dabel died at St. John’s Lutheran Hospital as a result of injuries she sustained in the accident at 2:42 p.m. at milepost 22.1. Dabel was westbound in her 2001 Dodge Caravan when an eastbound 1990 Ford Bronco driven by Sue Wilson, 45, of Libby, struck the Dabel vehicle.

“(She) was a wonderful, hard-working woman who loved her family more than anything,” said son Mike Caldwell.

“She enjoyed hearing about all of their lives, watching them in sports and going camping with them whenever possible.”

“Mom would be so ecstatic if she knew all of her kids were going to get together next week. That is all she wanted in life was to be around her kids and to see them happy. Although, she won’t be here to see it, we know that she will be looking down on us with a big smile and a filled heart.”

According to the accident report by Montana Highway Patrol officer Duane Bowers, Wilson lost control of her eastbound vehicle on the slush and snow, fishtailing several times before crossing the centerline into the opposite lane of traffic and was struck in the driver’s side by the Dabel vehicle. Both vehicles rotated then came to rest in the center of their original traffic lanes blocking the entire highway.

Dabel was extricated from her vehicle and immediately transported to the hospital in Libby where she later died of her injuries. 

The front passenger in her vehicle, Jessica Caldwell, 31, of Troy, was transported and treated at St. John’s. Two rear-seat passengers, Caden Caldwell, 2, and Brennan Caldwell, 2 weeks old, were properly restrained in child-safety seats.  

Both children were transported to St. John’s Hospital for treatment of minor injuries. Dabel and Jessica Caldwell were not wearing seatbelts at the time of the crash.

Wilson, the driver of the second vehicle, also was transported to St. John’s Hospital for treatment. 

A passenger in the Wilson vehicle, Jennifer Wilson, 27, of Libby, also was transported to St. John’s for treatment. Both Wilson women were properly restrained in seatbelts.

Alcohol does not appear to be a factor in the crash. Drug and prescription-use results for both drivers are pending toxicology screening by the Montana State Crime Lab in Missoula. This is standard practice for all serious injury or fatal accidents.

Traveling too fast for road conditions (Wilson) and lack of seatbelt use (Dabel, Caldwell) were both major contributing factors in this crash. 

Highway 2 was completely closed for approximately one hour with the assistance of the Montana Department of Transportation, which led to long traffic lines and delays in both directions.

This crash still is under investigation and charges, if any, are pending the toxicology screening results.

Dabel is survived by her children, who include Jerry Caldwell of Whitefish, Steve Caldwell of Columbia Falls, Nicky Butts  of Columbia Falls, Jena Butts of Kalispell, Lisa Caffrey of Columbia Falls, Mike Caldwell of Boise, Idaho, John Caldwell of Troy, and Robert Caldwell of Clinton, Utah.

Dabel was the oldest of four brothers and sisters. In order of oldest to youngest are Carol Gay of Washington, Bill Rowberry of Montana, and Julie Adamson (Montana.

She is survived by her mother, Pat Rowberry, also of Montana and her husband, Carl Dabel, of Troy.

In her 67 years, Dabel raised eight kids of her own, six of which live in Montana and the other two in Idaho and Utah. 

Linda was very proud of her children and one of her greatest joys was spending time with her 32 grandchildren and three great-grandchildren, said Mike Caldwell, her son.