A Service of The Arrow           Friday December 17, 1999 7:52 PM

By: Zach Mahon

ARROW STAFF

Over this last Thanksgiving weekend, senior Tanya Forsman engaged in the age-old tradition of visiting family and friends for the holiday. Unfortunately, she joined in another newer tradition for the holiday season – getting in a car accident.

Forsman and senior Sarah Benson were driving north on Highway 93 from Polson when they saw a car pull out right in front of them. The driver of the car probably didn't see them due to how close Forsman was to him. The snow was flying and visibility was poor. Forsman slammed on her brakes, but still slid into the back of the car. The car in front kept going, apparently not looking to do anything about the bump.

“It happened too fast for any real emotion,” said Benson.

These students weren't the only ones with less than smooth highway sailing over the holidays. Capt. Terry Aubrey of the Montana Highway Patrol said there were 227 crashes over the Thanksgiving weekend, seven of them taking eight lives. Six of the deaths included an unworn seatbealt.

“It [the holiday season] is absolutely more dangerous,” said Aubrey, “because there are more people on the road.”

Another pair of students who had a touch with terror over the Thanksgiving weekend were senior Buddy Evenson and senior Melissa Miller. Evenson was going to Miller's uncle's house. Driving south on Highway 93, about a mile past the Montana Grill restaurant, Evenson ran into a patch of icy road. Before Evenson could slow down, he began to lose control.

Sliding sideways, Evenson was t-boned by an oncoming truck.

“I don't think it could have been prevented, except maybe if we had four wheel drive,” said Miller.

This pair wasn't as lucky as Benson and Forsman. Evenson broke his collarbone and a couple of ribs; Miller broke one tooth in half and chipped another flying out of the truck.

“It will teach me to value life more,” said Miller. “It's a whole different story when you're in the emergency room.”

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