Women lose lives in canal wreck
Linda Sappington
A wrecker pulls the car from the irrigation canal off Canyon Mill Road Monday morning in Ronan. Two Ronan women died in the wreck.
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RONAN — Two female adults lost their lives early Monday morning off Canyon Mill Road when the westbound vehicle, driven by Iva Skelton, 45 of Ronan, veered to the right, hit the canal bridge guardrail and landed upside down in the canal.
Skelton and passenger Karen Jore, 56, of Ronan, died at the scene, according to Sheriff’s Deputy/Coroner Ben Woods.
A neighbor said she heard a crash around 12:30 a.m., but when she looked outside, she didn’t see or hear anything. Around 6 a.m., a passerby saw the car in the canal and called dispatch.
Montana Highway Patrol Trooper Brian Casey said the wreck is still being investigated.
He did not believe speed was a factor, but as of Monday afternoon, it was unclear whether alcohol and drugs were involved.
Neither woman was wearing her seatbelt, according to Casey.
