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Helena motorcyclist dies after hitting deer near Seeley Lake

Posted at 1:25 PM, Jul 14, 2020
and last updated 2020-07-18 13:36:32-04

(UPDATE 7/18/20 11:30 AM): In a Facebook post on Saturday morning, the Sheriff and Coroner TJ McDermott is released the name of the 59-year-old man who died in a motorcycle crash near Seeley Lake on Monday, July 13, 2020.

The deceased male has been identified as Tracy William Merritt.

The accident occurred around 4:05 p.m. near mile marker 16.4 on Highway 83.

MHP says a 59-year-old man from Helena was driving a Harley Davidson heading southbound toward Seeley Lake when he hit a deer.

The motorcycle then overturned, went off the road, and struck a tree. The man suffered fatal injuries.

A 63-year-old Helena woman -- who was also on the motorcycle -- was hurt in the accident and taken to an area hospital.

Both people were wearing helmets. MHP reports alcohol, speed, and drugs are not suspected factors in the crash.