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The Spokesman-Review Newspaper
Spokane, Washington  Est. May 19, 1883

Two Dead, One Hurt After Hit-And-Run

From Staff And Wire Reports

Two people were killed and a third seriously injured near Kellogg late Friday when a vehicle sped away from a hit-and-run accident.

Benjamin L. Hallman, 19, of Kellogg, was driving a 1994 Mazda pickup through Kellogg about 11 p.m. He was involved in a minor hit-and-run accident, according to the Idaho State Police.

Hallman then headed up Montgomery Gulch Road at a high rate of speed, came around a corner, lost control on the wet pavement and went airborne over a 20-foot embankment. The pickup landed against a tree, state police said.

Passenger Diana M. Christopherson, 18, of Mullan, died at the accident scene. Hallman was taken to Shoshone Medical Center where he died.

The other passenger, Connie W. Bearden, 19, of Kellogg, was taken to Kootenai Medical Center with a broken leg and possible head injuries. She was in serious condition at the intensive care unit late Saturday.

None of the people in the pickup wore seat belts. Alcohol was involved in the accident, state police said.

No one was injured in the initial accident, which occurred on Silver Valley Road.

, DataTimes