Montana Highway Patrol troopers load a Subaru following a single vehicle rollover on Highway 83 near Holland Lake Road Friday, May 1.
SWAN VALLEY – An accident on Highway 83 just south of Holland Lake Road claimed the life of 29-year-old Melissa Ellis-Munoz on May 1 at approximately 3:30 p.m.
According to Montana Highways Patrol Trooper TJ Templeton, Ellis-Munoz was traveling southbound when her silver Subaru left the roadway to the right side, over corrected and then rolled. Speed is not believed to be a factor but the accident is still under investigation.
Templeton said Ellis-Munoz was restrained and suffered fatal injuries during the crash while an unidentified female passenger was unrestrained and was ejected. Life Flight transported the passenger to St. Patrick Hospital in Missoula with serious injuries. Templeton felt the passenger would have sustained less severe injuries had she been buckled in. The passenger side of the car was relatively undamaged compared to the driver's side.
Two dogs were also involved in the accident. Responders were able to catch one of the dogs which was taken to a vet in Missoula by local law enforcement for treatment of its injuries. Volunteers and family of the victim have been searching the area for the other dog, a red heeler named Dingo that appeared to be uninjured. Anyone with information on the missing dog can contact Mark at 406-212-6326.
A GoFundMe page has been set up for Ellis-Munoz's family http://www.gofundme.com/f/Melissa-ellismunoz-memorial-fund
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