UPDATE: 6:30 p.m. – August 28, 2025
Lake County Sheriff/Coroner Don Bell has identified four victims in a fatal crash on Highway 93.
The deceased are 53-year-old Denise Burland of Polson, 53-year-old Jo Lynn Leishman of Pablo, 52-year-old Lanelle Fisher of Ronan, and 42-year-old Kimberly R. Hewankorn of Polson.
No further details regarding the circumstances of the crash have been disclosed.
(first report)
ST. IGNATIUS – Four individuals died in a two-vehicle collision Wednesday evening on U.S. Highway 93, north of St. Ignatius, according to Lake County Sheriff Don Bell.
Lake County 911 received multiple reports of the crash around 5:30 p.m. in the Post Creek Hill area.
The incident involved an RV carrying 10 passengers and a passenger car. “All four people in the passenger vehicle were killed,” Bell confirmed.
The RV was occupied by 10 individuals; some sustained injuries but all survived.
Traffic was diverted for over three hours as emergency personnel managed the scene.
The deceased were transported to the Montana State Medical Examiner's Office for autopsy, while the Lake County Coroner's Office is investigating the cause and manner of death.
The Montana Highway Patrol is conducting a thorough investigation of the incident.
The identities of the victims were confirmed by authorities.