Expected more consequences
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Editor,
It was a St. Patrick’s day I will never forget. I clocked into work at 2 p.m. that day and everything seemed to be going as it should. I have a worker riding to St . Ignatius with me and we were just leaving Ronan. It was probably around 3:30 p.m. because the kids were getting out of school. Anyway, about 200 yards north of Jore turn off, (which is a very dangerous place on Highway 93) where the speed limit is 55, I was heading south and my co-pilot noticed a vehicle (probably a mid-‘90s Ford Tempo) that looked like it was going to turn left. Then the vehicle kept coming and I realized it wasn’t going to turn. I swerved towards the ditch and so did the vehicle, I then swerved back towards the middle line and so did the Tempo. I then swerved, slammed on brakes and hit the ditch. While all this was happening (within 5 seconds) there were other vehicles that were headed north that hit the ditch to avoid the Tempo’s wrath.
I have to say, this was the scariest (almost head-on) I’ve ever encountered. Now comes the worst part. I immediately called 911 and gave dispatch brief description of incident and chased the vehicle to K. William Harvey Elementary School where a Ronan officer took over and I thought and hoped would give the lady some kind of consequence for her endangering so many lives. This didn’t happen. The officer, Ronan Chief of Police, gave the lady a stern warning. I was appalled at this decision and couldn’t believe the officer didn’t even ask what happened. All he told me was this incident didn’t deserve a citation and I couldn’t pursue charges. Ha, and the following day I read about the drag racing granny that was ticketed for doing 5 mph over the speed limit. I think the little town of Ronan might have had problems with their Police Department in the past, but at least they were consistent and would investigate more thoroughly.
Jonathan Denton
Polson
