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Columbia Falls Woman Dies in Crash

By Beacon Staff

WHITEFISH (AP) – A Columbia Falls woman died in a head-on crash on Montana 40 near here Wednesday after her vehicle crossed the center line and struck an oncoming pickup truck, the Montana Highway Patrol said.

Kyong Smith, 65, died at the scene. The crash was reported at 7:50 p.m.

It was unclear why she crossed the center line. Smith was not wearing a seat belt, the patrol said.

The driver of the pickup, Lawrence Abell, 45, of Columbia Falls, was hospitalized in good condition, officials said.

The death raises the state highway fatality toll to 154, three more than on July 25, 2006.