The man who died in Tuesday's motorcycle accident on U.S. Highway 12 in Lolo was the owner of one of North Carolina's largest Harley-Davidson motorcycle dealerships.
Clifton "Click" Baldwin, 54, died early Wednesday morning in the ICU at St. Patrick Hospital in Missoula, surrounded by friends and family.
He underwent surgery after being airlifted to the hospital after colliding into a car near Lolo shortly after 9:00 a.m. on Tuesday.
Officials with the Montana Highway Patrol say that Baldwin and a passenger car were both headed west on the highway, when the driver of the car slowed down, and put on the signal to make a left turn into Travelers' Rest State Park.
The motorcycle then tried to pass the car on the left side, while driving on a road with a double yellow line, but ended up smashing into back of the car, flying across the trunk, and then hitting a sign post.
He and 14 fellow members of the Hamster's Motorcycle Club were heading to the 68th annual Sturgis Rally in South Dakota.
Baldwin was the owner of Carolina Harley-Davidson Buell motorcycle dealership in Gastonia, North Carolina, which was named one of the world's top 25 highest ranking dealerships over the years.
Baldwin is survived by his wife, Diane, and daughter, Chelsea.
The Montana Highway Patrol is still investigating a motorcycle vs. vehicle crash on Highway 12 near Lolo that has one man still clinging to his life.
A MHP official tells us that shortly after 9:00 a.m. on Tuesday, a car and motorcycle were both headed west on the highway when the driver of the car slowed down and put on the signal to make a left turn into Travelers' Rest State Park.
The motorcycle then tried to pass the car on the left-side, while driving on a road with a double yellow line, but ended up smashing into back of the car.
The victim then flew across the trunk and hit a sign post. He was then flown to St. Patrick Hospital in Missoula with what's described as life-threatening injuries.
The MHP trooper on seen says the motorcyclist did not wear a helmet, adding that those inside in the car were wearing seat belts, and were not hurt in the crash.
(from July 29, 2008)
One man is clinging to life after crashing his motorcycle into a car on U.S. Highway 12 near Lolo early Tuesday morning.
Montana Highway Patrol Trooper Pat McCarthy tells us that shortly after 9:00 a.m., a car and motorcycle were both heading west on U.S. Highway 12.
The driver of the car put on its signal to make a left turn into Travelers' Rest State Park, and slowed down, but the motorcycle then tried to pass the car on the left-side, while driving on a road with a double yellow line.
The motorcycle smashed into back of the car, the driver flew across hood and then hit a sign post.
The man, who's approximately 50 years old, was taken by Life Flight helicopter to St. Patrick Hospital in Missoula with what's said to be life-threatening injuries.
The motorcyclist was not wearing a helmet and the MHP says the occupants in the car, who were wearing seatbelts, weren't hurt in the crash.
An investigation into the wreck is underway and there's no word yet on whether or not alcohol or speed played roles in the accident.
At around the same time, a call came in of a one vehicle rollover on Old Highway 93 South in Florence.
The Montana Highway Patrol says that in that crash, a teenage driver lost control of the car while rounding a curve on McClain's Creek Road.
The car drifted off the shoulder, and rolled on its side, but not before hitting a guide wire to a power poll, which sparked a small grass fire the measured about 25 feet in diameter.
No injuries were reported in that crash.
Montana's News Station is hearing that two people have reportedly been hurt in a motorcycle vs. car accident on U.S. Highway 12 in Lolo.
The wreck happened by the entrance to Traveler's Rest State Park and emergency crews, including a medical helicopter, are on the scene.
Crews had shutdown both lanes of U.S. Highway 12 in the area, but one lane was reopened to traffic at around 9:45 a.m.
We'll bring you more information as it becomes available.
- Mark Thorsell reporting from KPAX in Missoula with information from Olen Paulsen
Motorists should expect delays on U.S. Highway 12 in Lolo due to a serious accident that has reportedly shut down the road.
Emergency crews are responding to the area of Guy's Steakhouse, just up Highway 12 from the intersection on U.S. Highway 93 South in Lolo.
We have a news crew on the scene and will provide more information as soon as it becomes available.
- Mark Thorsell reporting from KPAX in Missoula
