St. Regis motorcycle crash fata.

A 68-year-old male from Idaho lost his life in a motorcycle crash on Saturday night in an accident that happened shortly after 5 p.m.

Richard Hader, Montana Highway Patrol, said the victim, whose name has not yet been released, as well as his friend, were riding their motorcycles up Camel’s Hump Road on the west side, eight miles out of St. Regis.

“They had come over to Missoula for the day and were on their way home after stopping at Quinn’s to eat,” Hader said. “The victim’s friend said that prior to crashing that the victim noted that he wasn’t feeling well.”

The victim entered into a left hand turn on the road and failed to negotiate the turn. The bike struck the guard rail and the victim landed underneath his motorcycle.

There was minor damage done to the vehicle. Hader said there was some delay to emergency medical services arriving because of cell service issues out on the road.

He said the victim was pronounced dead at the scene.

“Speed and alcohol were not a factor,” Hader said. “It’s a real windy road with a speed limit of 45 miles per hour and these guys were going 20 miles per hour, possibly less. They were taking their time.”

Hader said the cause of death has not yet been identified but it is very possible that the cause of death may be medical because of the remark the victim made to his friend prior to the accident about, “feeling bloated.”

Hader confirmed that the victim was wearing a protective helmet as well as a leather jacket at the time of the accident.

“Prior to crashing, he mentioned that he felt ill,” Hader said. “I tend to think that there may have been some issues with his health.”

Hader said the victim’s body was sent to the crime lab for tests to determine  the exact cause of death and the results would be ready depending on whether or not it was a condition that jumped out at the examiner, or required further testing.

Those results were not available at press time.