Wreck claims life of local woman
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DIXON — Long-time Ronan resident Echo DeLong died in a single-vehicle wreck July 4 in Dixon.
Montana Highway Patrol Trooper James Sanderson said DeLong was traveling on Bench Road East near Nester Street at a minimum estimated speed of 60 miles per hour. The posted speed limit on Bench Road is 45 mph. Around 9 p.m., DeLong’s Crown Victoria skidded to the right, overcorrected and rolled into an irrigation canal. She was not wearing a seatbelt.
The vehicle remained upside-down and submerged for 12 hours before the accident was reported. Sanders County emergency management coordinator Bill Naegeli said no significant amount of oil or hydrocarbons had leaked into the irrigation canal.
DeLong was pronounced dead on scene and transported to the Sanders County Coroner’s Office.
While speed is believed to be a factor in the accident, it remains unclear whether alcohol was involved. Authorities have not released the cause of death.
“The investigation is ongoing; we don’t yet have a conclusion to direct factors that lead to the accident,” Sanderson said.
According to Grogan Funeral Home’s website, Echo Amorette Lynch DeLong was born in Polson but attended school and grew up in Ronan. She was living in Plains at the time of her death. A Carroll College graduate and registered nurse, she is survived by two sons, her parents and several siblings.
