Columbia Falls 6-year-old dies from injuries in Thursday crash

A 6-year-old Columbia Falls girl died Friday from injuries she suffered in a four-vehicle crash Thursday morning on Montana 35 near McWenneger Slough east of Kalispell.

Hanna Cini was a passenger in a Chevrolet Tahoe driven by her mother, Robin Cini, who was taking her to Fair-Mont-Egan School, where Hanna was a first-grade student. Hanna was airlifted to Sacred Heart Hospital in Spokane, where she died about 5:24 p.m. Friday. Robin Cini's 3-year-old son, Bayden, was injured and transported to Kalispell Regional Medical Center. Robin Cini suffered less severe injuries.

According to the Montana Highway Patrol, Cini's vehicle was westbound on Montana 35 about 8:20 a.m. Thursday when she signaled and slowed to turn left onto Montford Road. Cini was followed by a Toyota Tundra and a full-sized Ford pickup hauling a full-sized pickup on a trailer.

With a guardrail on his right, the 54-year-old driver of the Ford pickup realized he wasn't going to stop in time and swerved into the oncoming lane of traffic, sideswiping the Toyota pickup and rear-ending the Tahoe – the first vehicle in line – as she turned, the report said.

A fourth vehicle, an eastbound Dodge Durango, then struck Cini's Tahoe broadside, according to Montana Highway Patrol Trooper Dustin LeRette.

The Ford pickup, carried by its momentum, continued with its trailer into a field on the south side of the highway. Neither the driver, a Kalispell man, nor his woman passenger were injured.

The driver of the Tundra and his passenger were not injured.

The 19-year-old driver of the Durango was taken to Kalispell Regional Medical Center with a severely broken leg.

Neither alcohol nor excessive speeds appear to be factors in the crash, LeRette said.

Investigative reports will be forwarded to the Flathead County Attorney's Office for possible charges.

The Montana Highway Patrol, Flathead County Sheriff's Office, Creston Fire Department, Evergreen Fire Department and Kalispell Fire Department responded. The accident blocked Montana 35 for some time.

A memorial service for Hanna Cini will be held at 10 a.m. Thursday, April 23 at the Christian Center in Kalispell. A reception is scheduled afterward at the church.