Columbia Falls woman killed in car accident

A 26-year-old Columbia Falls woman died after a one-vehicle accident near St. Regis Feb. 16.

Melissa Leann Sagen died as a result of the accident that happened about 9:30 p.m. The vehicle she was riding in swerved to miss a dead deer on Interstate 90.

The driver over-corrected and the car began to skid and struck a tree on the passenger side. It then bounced off and hit another tree with its front end.

Two other people in the vehicle were injured and transported to a Missoula hospital.

According to a Montana Highway Patrol spokesperson, speed and alcohol were believed to be factors in the accident.

The name of the victim was released by the family.

Sagen also had ties to the Whitefish community as well. Sagen was born there.

The name of the driver and the other people in the car were not immediately available.

Services for Sagen are scheduled for Feb. 24, at 1:30 p.m. at the Columbia Mortuary in Columbia Falls.