Speed, seat belt factors in fatal wreck

A West Glacier woman killed in a rollover accident June 5 was traveling too fast and wasn’t wearing her seat belt, according to a Montana Highway Patrol investigation.

Amber Morgan McAtee, 38, was eastbound on U.S. 2 when she failed to negotiate a curve just east of Big Horn Drive, west of Kalispell.

The vehicle rolled several times, and she was partially ejected in the crash and pinned under the vehicle. McAtee was pronounced dead at the scene. A dog in the vehicle was unhurt and later returned to family members.

Trooper Jim Schneider, who investigated the accident, said excessive speed likely caused the crash. The speed limit along that section of the highway is 60 mph and McAtee was traveling faster than that, but Schneider declined to say at this point of the investigation how much faster.

There was alcohol in the vehicle, he noted, but no specific evidence McAtee had consumed any. Schneider said toxicology tests are pending.