Hamilton Man Killed in ATV Accident on Skalkaho Road

A Hamilton man was killed on Friday evening, July 4, when he drove his ATV off the Skalkaho Highway into a grove of trees.

A dispatcher with the Montana Highway Patrol said the man lost control of his all-terrain vehicle and crashed after heading down a steep embankment.

"The vehicle was westbound on Montana Highway 38, the Skalkaho Highway," the dispatcher said. "The driver failed to maintain control of the vehicle and drove off the west side of the road. The vehicle went down an embankment and crashed into a grove of trees."

The dispatcher said the unidentified man was pronounced dead at a local hospital.

"The driver was transported to Marcus Daly Hospital, and was declared deceased there," the dispatcher said. "Speed was definitely a factor in the fatal crash, but it is unknown at this time if alcohol played a part. The victim was not wearing a helmet at the time of the crash."

The Highway Patrol said the man was riding alone.

Ravalli County Sheriff Chris Hoffman said the victim's name won't be released until his family can be notified.

Last week, a 10 year-old boy was killed in an ATV accident near Corvallis. Hoffman and troopers with the Montana Highway Patrol urge ATV riders to wear helmets and protective clothing, and to never mix alcohol or drugs with recreational riding of ATV's, motorcycles and boats.