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Lake County Sheriff IDs Motorcyclist Who Died in Collision with Deer

Samuel Keirle, 26, of Bigfork, crashed after hitting a deer on Montana Highway 35

By Tristan Scott

Authorities have identified the 26-year-old motorcyclist who died last week after colliding with a deer on Montana Highway 35.

Samuel Keirle, of Bigfork, was riding his motorcycle at approximately 9 p.m. on July 16 when he struck a deer near mile marker 28 on the stretch of highway along Flathead Lake.

According to Lake County Sheriff Don Bell, first responders arrived at the scene of the accident and found Keirle, who was not wearing a helmet at the time of the crash, had died from his injuries.

The Montana Highway Patrol is conducting the crash investigation but it does not appear that alcohol or drugs were a factor, according to Bell.