Libby women die in crashes

Two women, ages 43 and 46, died in separate vehicular accidents during the past week, the first coming Thursday and the latter Sunday.

Funeral arrangements are pending for Sandra Cook, the 43-year-old Libby woman who died Thursday when her truck went off Highway 2 near mile-marker No. 536 west of Glasgow.

Tina McMillan, 46, was killed Sunday when she was thrown from a four-wheeler as she attempted to navigate a trail off Parmenter Creek Road.

Cook, who provided cafeteria service at Libby High School, was killed in the accident that occurred about 8:30 a.m. Thursday when her eastbound 2001 Chevrolet Silverado went off the roadway and rolled over several times. The Montana Highway patrol is investigating.

According to the trooper’s preliminary report, speed was a factor in the accident, and Cook, who was not wearing a seatbelt was thrown from the vehicle.

Asked to confirm whether the vehicle experienced a rear-tire blowout that could have contributed to the accident, the trooper said the accident still is being investigated, reported Trooper Matthew Finely.

McMillan of Libby also died at the scene of her accident after she was thrown off the Polaris four-wheeler she was driving near a trailhead off Parmenter Creek Road.

McMillan’s passenger, Brenda Peters, 53, was transported to Kalispell Regional Medical Center on Sunday and was in intensive care.

According to the Highway Patrol, neither woman was wearing a helmet. The preliminary report states both speed and alcohol were factors in the four-wheeler accident.

Cook, who was the mother of three children in Libby schools, ran Sunshine Food Services, providing breakfast and lunchtime meals at the school.

Because of Cook’s familiarity with students, the district began offering grief counseling for students who requested it.

Libby High School Principal Ruth VanWorth-Rogers said Cook was well-liked by students and many are struggling to cope with the news of her death.

The principal said the school was still reckoning with Cook’s death when the news of McMillan came.

“She has a child here,” VanWorth Rogers said. “It’s a large extended family. We’re offering counseling for anyone who wants it.”