Three car accidents Tuesday in Libby area

Three separate car accidents were reported around Libby Tuesday, keeping law enforcement and emergency crews busy throughout the day.

The first incident was a single-car accident on U.S. Highway 2 near the old Branding Iron, south of Libby. According to Montana Highway Patrol Trooper Anthony Jensen, who investigated the crash, the accident occurred before the snowy weather blew into the area, so road conditions were not a factor. Jensen said the driver reported a wobbling tire, which caused her to lose control and crash into the guardrail on the side of the road. No injuries were reported as a result of the accident and Jensen said he cited the driver for careless driving.

The second incident of the day landed in the jurisdiction of the Libby Police Department, as two vehicles collided in the intersection of East Eighth Street and Minnesota. The incident involved two juveniles in a Ford flatbed pickup truck and an adult male driving a Toyota sedan. The adult driver was cited for a right-of-way violation by Libby Police Officer Jonathan Graham.

Libby Police Chief Terry Watson said the two juveniles were taken to Cabinet Peaks Medical Center for evaluation, per department policy. Juveniles, he said, aren’t legally able to determine if they require medical assistance, so the department’s policy is to transport juveniles to the hospital. The driver of the car refused care at the scene.

The final accident of the day was the most serious, as a Nissan pickup went off the road on Farm to Market Road and turned upside down. The Libby Volunteer Fire Department was called to the scene to assist with extrication of the driver and passenger from the vehicle. Weather, Jensen said, was a contributing factor in the accident. 

The driver was cited for driving too fast for conditions, according to Jensen.