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Columbia Falls man killed in wreck

by CHRIS PETERSON
Editor | May 3, 2006 11:00 PM

Hungry Horse News

A Columbia Falls man is dead after a car struck the motorcycle he was driving on U.S Highway 2 north of the airport Saturday. A passenger in the car that hit him was also killed.

The cyclist was identified as William Daniel Haller, Jr., 25, the passenger who was killed was identified as Georgia Johnston, 46, of Seattle.

The driver of the vehicle was identified as Genevieve Baker, 48 of Kalispell.

Johnston is Baker's sister.

According to Flathead County Deputy Coroner Brad Stahlberg, witnesses at the scene said the car was southbound when it went to pass a car and lost control.

It veered into the northbound lane and struck Haller's motorcycle and then went into the ditch and rolled.

Haller died from neck injuries at the scene. The driver and passenger of the car were transported via ambulance and ALERT to Kalispell Regional Medical Center.

Johnston died at KRMC from internal injuries. Alcohol appears to be a factor in the crash.

Haller was engaged to be married to Candice Fraley and had a 4-month-old girl. He worked at Costco and graduated from Flathead High School in 2000.