WEST GLACIER – Two Great Falls women died in a two-vehicle crash near West Glacier Wednesday afternoon.
The victims have been identified as 18-year-old Caitlin Benner and 18-year-old Vanessa Fitzgerald.
The Montana Highway Patrol told MTN News the crash happened around 4 p.m. at mile marker 166 on U.S. Highway 2.
A small Chevy car was traveling east when the vehicle crossed the center line and hit the guard rail. The car then went into oncoming traffic and collided with a sprinter van.
Benner and Fitzgerald, who were in the Chevy car, both died at the scene. A child in the car was taken to Kalispell Regional Medical Center, but is not believed to have serious injuries.
The driver of the van was not hurt.
Tom Moore, assistant superintendent at Great Falls Public Schools, told MTN News the women had graduated from Paris Gibson Education Center in 2018.
There is a crisis team with grief counselors stationed at Paris Gibson to help students this week. For anyone needing help, the team can be reached at (406)268-6600.
The Montana Highway Patrol is investigating the crash.
