Man Dies, Wife injured in Crash Near Lincoln

HELENA, Mont. (AP) — A car and a pickup truck collided on a curve in Montana Highway 200 west of Lincoln killing the 69-year-old man who was driving the car and critically injuring his wife.

Lewis and Clark County Coroner Mickey Nelson says Lawrence Wertz of Lincoln died in the crash at about 4:30 p.m. Wednesday. His 67-year-old wife was taken to a Missoula hospital, where she was listed in critical condition Wednesday night.

The pickup was driven by a 17-year-old Lincoln girl. Nelson says the girl suffered minor injuries and family members to her to the hospital in Helena for assessment.

Nelson says "momentary inattention" is a suspected factor in the wreck.

The Montana Highway Patrol says all three people were wearing seat belts.