A Columbia Falls teenager and standout member of the girls cross country team received multiple broken bones and internal injuries after the driver of an allegedly stolen vehicle collided with her car at the at the intersection of Montana 206 and U.S. 2 on Jan. 9. 

According to the Columbia Falls Police Department, at about 8:42 p.m. the Flathead County Sheriff's Office took a stolen vehicle report from the area of U.S. 2 and East Reserve Road in Evergreen. The stolen vehicle, a Dodge Durango, was last reported driving north on U.S. 2. At about 8:51 p.m., a Columbia Falls Police officer located it heading east on U.S. 2 near Nucleus Avenue, reporting that it was driving recklessly, weaving through traffic and speeding.  

Two Columbia Falls officers attempted to stop the stolen Durango. After activating their vehicles' emergency lights and sirens, the stolen Durango accelerated and a vehicle pursuit ensued. The Durango continued east on U.S. 2, reaching speeds of between 75 and 80 mph. 

At the intersection of U.S. 2 and Montana 206, the stolen Durango struck another vehicle turning west onto U.S. 2 from Montana 206. Both vehicles came to a rest in the intersection.  

The driver of the stolen vehicle, Alfred Chester Paul Flamond, 34, who has lived in Hungry Horse, Browning and Cut Bank, was taken into custody at the scene. 

He was previously known to law enforcement. 

Flamond faces he faces charges including theft, criminal endangerment and fleeing causing serious bodily injury in Flathead County District Court. He is being held in the Flathead County Detention Center. 

The vehicle that was struck by the stolen Durango was driven by Hazel Alexander, a junior at Columbia Falls High School. She was transported to Logan Health in Kalispell and later transferred to Harborview Medical Center in Seattle, where she has had multiple surgeries to repair injuries, according to family posts on social media. 

In fall of 2025 she was the top runner for the girls cross country team, taking 20th at the state A championship. 

“Hazel is one of those humans that everywhere she goes she lights up the room,” Columbia Falls cross country coach Jim Peacock said. 

He recalled her grit and determination when she first started running for the Wildcat track team as a freshman. She wasn’t the fastest runner, but she worked hard. As a sophomore she improved greatly and just kept running through the summer. 

“She came into cross country as a totally different runner and led the team by last season,” he said. “... She’s one of those kids that leads by example.” 

Peacock said her teammates have expressed the gamut of emotions from shocked and angry to compassion for their fellow athlete, as Alexander has a long road to recovery. 

Community members have started a Give Send Go campaign to raise money for her treatment.

Peacock said he had great admiration for the community of Columbia Falls and how it steps up to help people in need. 

Montana Highway Patrol is conducting the collision investigation. The Flathead County Sheriff's Office is conducting the vehicle theft investigation. The Columbia Falls Police Department is investigating the eluding and crimes resulting from the collision. 

Anyone who may have witnessed this incident is urged to call the Flathead County 911 center at 406-758-5585 and request to speak with Detective Craig McConnell. 

“Our thoughts and prayers are with the victim and her family,” Columbia Falls Police Chief Chad Stephens said in a statement.