KALISPELL — We have continuing coverage of a Minnesota man who turned himself into Flathead County authorities on Monday.
Mason Drake of Minnesota is accused of killing a mother and daughter this past July in a traffic crash.
He's now being held on $500,000 after allegedly driving drunk on the Fourth of July.
The Montana Highway Patrol reports Drake was traveling north on Montana Highway 35 when he crossed over into the southbound lane and hit a Ford Ranger head-on.
Kalispell mother and daughter Alice and Katie Barten died at the scene.
MTN News asked Trooper Jerril Ren why it took MHP so long to arrest Drake.
"It's a very in depth investigation, it's a double fatal car crash. It's not uncommon for it to take a while. We didn't know what his injuries were," Ren explained.
"So, the day of the crash he was admitted to the hospital so we did everything we could at the hospital at that time and then once he was released we were still doing our investigation," he added.
Trooper Ren adds many unsuccessful attempts were made to arrest Drake in his hometown in Minnesota.
As of right now, Drake is scheduled to be arraigned in Flathead County court next week.
