Two locals die in wreck

Two Columbia Falls teens were killed in a two-vehicle wreck on U.S. 2 on June 6 just after 10 a.m.

A Nissan Sentra driven by Mercy Peterson, 18, crossed the center-turn lane and struck a northbound minivan about a half-mile south of Glacier Park International Airport. Peterson died at the scene.

A passenger in Peterson’s vehicle, Kayli Mercedes Wagoner, 17, was transported to Kalispell Regional Medical Center via the ALERT helicopter but later died in surgery.

The driver of the minivan was extricated and taken to the hospital. A passenger in the minivan was unharmed.

Both teens attended the Columbia Falls School District 6 Learning Center. Peterson worked at Five Guys Burgers and Fries in Kalispell.

Airport emergency responders were the first on the scene and were later joined by Evergreen Fire Rescue, Three Rivers EMS, ALERT, the Montana Highway Patrol and the Flathead County Sheriff’s Office.

Names of the remaining victims were not been released, and the crash remains under investigation.