UPDATE - 9:00 a.m. Friday, December 30

The Sheriff and Coroner, TJ McDermott, has released the names of the three people who were killed on Thursday afternoon after a head-on crash near Carlton Creek Rd. on Highway 93 South.

The driver of the northbound 2014 Silverado has been identified as 73-year-old, Eddie Parks of Victor, Montana.

The southbound Dodge Dakota was carrying the driver, 72-year-old Ronald Chaney and his wife, 71-year-old Laurene Chaney, both of Hamilton, Montana. All three died of multiple blunt force trauma.

The crash is still under investigation.

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The Montana Highway Patrol is reporting that three people are dead after a head-on collision between two pickup trucks between Lolo and Florence on Highway 93 South.

Trooper Luke Burson said the accident was reported just after 3:00 p.m. when a witness to the crash called 9-1-1.

"What we know right now, is that it was a two-vehicle head-on crash," Burson said. "A silver crew-cab pickup was northbound, and a blue crew-can pickup was southbound. The silver pickup was occupied by an older gentleman who crossed the center line and collided with the blue pickup which was occupied by an elderly couple, and all three individuals are deceased."

Burson said the accident occurred at mile marker 17 on U.S. Highway 93 South. He said the road conditions were dry and there were no other vehicles were involved,

"We have a witness who said it didn't sound like one of the vehicles was trying to pass the other, and there could possibly have been a medical issue. In a crash like this, speed is obviously a major factor with two vehicles going in opposite directions at 70 miles-per-hour plus colliding head-on."

The southbound lanes were closed for approximately 90 minutes following the accident.

Burson said the investigation into the fatal accident continues.

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