Responding to 911, leads to another

Simultaneous 911 calls were dispatched Friday afternoon for various reasons. However, one dispatch call resulted in another 911 call being made.

Libby Ambulance volunteer, Sarah Carpenter, 21, was dispatched to an emergency outside the Libby city limits. Driving a Toyota SUV without emergency lights, Carpenter was eastbound on 4th Avenue about 4:50 p.m. Friday when she failed to yield to another vehicle.

Kimberly Kahl, 39, and her son, who was a passenger in the vehicle, were southbound on Idaho Avenue in a Jeep when they were struck by Carpenter’s vehicle as it crossed through the intersection.

The collision caused the Jeep to veer to the left and come to a stop on the curb in front of the Green Meadow Manor Apartments building. The Toyota was spun around and came to a stop on Idaho Avenue facing south.

Carpenter and Kahl immediately exited their vehicles to exchange their stories. Kahl held her head as she complained to a neighbor across the street, who came out to ask whether she could help, about pain.

A second 911 was called for possible injury and law enforcement to gather information for the accident reports.

Chaos emerged when three ambulances, advance-life support, law-enforcement vehicles and family members arrived to line-up on Idaho Avenue.

In the midst of the confusion, Kahl’s Yorkshire Terrier, “Charlie” ran from the scene and headed south toward Highway 2.

Kahl’s son, still discombobulated from the head-on collision, sprinted after the small dog. “Charlie” ran quickly for two blocks and was narrowly missed by as many as three vehicles driving throughout the neighborhood. Just after the Asa Wood building, “Charlie” turned left and was caught by Kahl’s son.

Following the chase for “Charlie,” Kahl’s husband arrived and was told by Libby Police officers Carpenter’s vehicle was not insured.

Kahl was taken by Libby Volunteer Ambulance to St. John’s Lutheran Hospital for precautionary reasons. Carpenter was cited for failing-to-yield and operating a vehicle without insurance.